8.30.2011 (Columbus) – COSI has a new picnic park thanks to the hard work of some nearby elementary school students. In 2011, the then fourth and fifth grade students from Avondale Elementary worked with COSI to design the outdoor space adjacent to the rain garden. The park will be dedicated Thursday, September 1, 2011 at noon.
The picnic park features a giant ant hill, and climbable sculptures of an ant and a butterfly created by Ohio artist Adrian French. Three picnic tables are available for guests and employees to enjoy their lunch in the outdoor space. COSI worked with the students on the design of the space through the spring in 2011 and broke ground this past June. Local organizations and volunteers have helped to build the space throughout the summer.
“The students from Avondale Elementary were amazing. We were pleased to get their input and work with a neighborhood school,” said David E. Chesebrough, Ed. D., President and CEO of COSI. “Not only is this new picnic park a work of art, but it aligns and expands on COSI’s Energy and Environment initiative.”
The picnic park is part of a bigger energy and environment project at COSI. The goal of the project is to help visitors better understand the world and the role we all play when it comes to issues of sustainability and environmental impact. Some projects already implemented include Lily Pad, a watershed learning lab and exhibit space, Innovation Showcase: Innovations in Energy, dedicated to teaching visitors the role innovation and technology will play in our energy future, the outdoor Rain Garden adjacent to the Picnic Park and the Prairie in Big Science Park.
Support was provided by the Joseph A. Jeffrey Fund of the Columbus Foundation as well as the Jeffrey Company. COSI would also like to recognize the support of various community members for their support including The Shelly Company, The Anderson Company, Operating Engineers Apprenticeship & Training, George J. Igel & Co., Inc., Shelly & Sands, Inc.
COSI, the Center of Science and Industry located in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the most respected science centers in the nation — serving more than 20 million visitors since 1964. Parents Magazine named COSI the #1 Science Center for families in the country. COSI’s programs and world-class experiences inspire an interest in science encourage people to want to learn more about their world. Read more at cosi.org.
The picnic park features a giant ant hill, and climbable sculptures of an ant and a butterfly created by Ohio artist Adrian French. Three picnic tables are available for guests and employees to enjoy their lunch in the outdoor space. COSI worked with the students on the design of the space through the spring in 2011 and broke ground this past June. Local organizations and volunteers have helped to build the space throughout the summer.
“The students from Avondale Elementary were amazing. We were pleased to get their input and work with a neighborhood school,” said David E. Chesebrough, Ed. D., President and CEO of COSI. “Not only is this new picnic park a work of art, but it aligns and expands on COSI’s Energy and Environment initiative.”
The picnic park is part of a bigger energy and environment project at COSI. The goal of the project is to help visitors better understand the world and the role we all play when it comes to issues of sustainability and environmental impact. Some projects already implemented include Lily Pad, a watershed learning lab and exhibit space, Innovation Showcase: Innovations in Energy, dedicated to teaching visitors the role innovation and technology will play in our energy future, the outdoor Rain Garden adjacent to the Picnic Park and the Prairie in Big Science Park.
Support was provided by the Joseph A. Jeffrey Fund of the Columbus Foundation as well as the Jeffrey Company. COSI would also like to recognize the support of various community members for their support including The Shelly Company, The Anderson Company, Operating Engineers Apprenticeship & Training, George J. Igel & Co., Inc., Shelly & Sands, Inc.
COSI, the Center of Science and Industry located in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the most respected science centers in the nation — serving more than 20 million visitors since 1964. Parents Magazine named COSI the #1 Science Center for families in the country. COSI’s programs and world-class experiences inspire an interest in science encourage people to want to learn more about their world. Read more at cosi.org.