New outdoor playground opens as part of Eugene Science Center expansion

Still shiny from its recent installation, the rocket ship play structure at the Eugene Science Center had one rule printed on it: “Rocket Crew Only.”

Crew members Hudson, a fourth-grader, and Izaiah, a first-grader, explored the ship on the morning of Thursday, July 2, helping Hudson’s 2-year-old brother, Reid, reach the hands-on features. Izaiah jumped off the side, landing a short distance below in the mulch — or was it outer space?

“I’ll see you later in 100 years,” Hudson said, moving to close the imaginary door.

“One-hundred years? No, one second,” Izaiah protested, running back to the ship.

The Eugene Science Center, a hands-on science museum in Alton Baker Park, unveiled the first few structures in its new outdoor science park June 24.

Though the rocket ship was fun, the boys agreed the geometric climber was their favorite feature of the four structures installed so far.

In the fall, the museum will add more science-themed equipment including a “Galilean cannon,” a giant lever, a giant magnetic pendulum, a tennis ball launcher and more educational signs and graphics, rounding out a three-year, more than $500,000 project to expand the science museum.

More space to learn, play

Stefani Roybal, Eugene Science Center’s community engagement director, said museum leadership decided they wanted to extend exhibits to the outdoors in 2023, when visitor traffic began picking back up post-pandemic. The museum sees up to 40,000 visitors a year.

“We got feedback from our members and visitors and the number one thing was: You need more space, you need more exhibits,” she said. “When we have field trips here, if we have more than one field trip, we are really at capacity.”

Since then, the center raised about $525,000 from private donations, grants and contributions from businesses and visitors to build the outdoor space, which doubles the museum’s footprint.

It also freshens up the museum’s programming. Staff can factor the play structures into summer camp or field trip programming because they each feature different science concepts.

Roybal said the public has been enthusiastic about the museum’s new addition and staff members have delighted in hearing the sounds of kids playing outside.

“We could overhear the kids team-building, saying ‘OK, you do this, you do that, and I’ll climb here and put your foot there,’” she recounted. “There’s all of those other qualities of STEM education that aren’t necessarily math and science — those are happening. So kids are learning confidence, they’re learning to communicate with each other, how to cooperate.” (STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math.)

And being outdoors also connects kids with nature. Back at the playground, 9-year-old Hudson watched as an osprey circled overhead, and spied the nest that sits high on a wooden pole near the museum. Ospreys can be identified by their white bellies, Hudson expertly pointed out — and by their hunting habits.

“Like an eagle, they dive-bomb and catch fish,” he said.

Cory Coffman, grandmother to Hudson and Reid, sat on a bench with the boys’ baby sister, Amelia. Coffman was relieved to have a space where all three of the kids could play on a summer day.

“It’s a little tricky with the age difference with the kids,” Coffman said. “So this place is kind of good because there’s something for all of them to do.”

How to visit

Where: 2300 Leo Harris Parkway

Cost: The new playground is included in the Eugene Science Center’s general admission fee, which is free for kids 2 or younger, $8 for ages 3 to 61 and $7 for those 62 and up. Kids with 1Passes get in free and admission for families on SNAP benefits is $1 per person.

Hours: In the summer, the Eugene Science Center is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. During the school year, the museum is generally closed on Mondays, but is open on Mondays when Eugene School District 4J has no school.