On January 16, the Hocking Hills Children’s Museum opened its doors, offering an interactive space for children aged six months to ten years and their families. The museum includes a toddler-friendly soft play area, a water section with fishing rods and waterfalls, and a dig pit sponsored by Columbia Gas of Ohio.
The dig pit is filled with a sand-like rubber granule material that is safe for children to play in and leaves less mess. It features Columbia Gas branding and provides reflective vests and plastic hard hats for children to wear as they dig. Trucks and other toys are also available for play.
The project was led by Brandi Williams, Senior Project Manager of New Business at Columbia Gas of Ohio and a member of the Hocking Hills Children’s Museum Board of Trustees. She was supported by John Rooker, Operations Field Leader; Scott Cline, Operations Center Manager; and Luka Papalko, Public Affairs Manager.
Williams applied for and received a NiSource Charitable Foundation grant to sponsor an exhibit at the museum. After considering several options, the dig pit was chosen. “We’ve had a mobile DIY dig pit that we’ve done at other events,” said Papalko. “We’d fill plastic pools with sand and some pipes, and it was a big hit with kids. We thought it would be an awesome opportunity to make it a more permanent install.”
R&R Pipeline joined Columbia Gas in sponsoring the project. Cody Thoman from R&R Pipeline noted that it was fitting since his company often collaborates with Columbia Gas in southeast Ohio.
Williams highlighted the involvement of local professionals like Rooker and Cline in installing the pipelines beneath the sand. “When I talked to John Rooker then Scott Cline, they were all in for helping and they were very excited to do so,” Williams said.
Rachel Kallimanis, Executive Director of the museum, reported that the dig pit has quickly become one of the most popular exhibits. Williams emphasized how important such support is for low-income areas like Hocking Hills: “Traditionally, we didn’t have anything like this... now we have this place where kids can play and learn with their families right in our downtown area.”
Williams expressed gratitude towards Kallimanis, Rooker, Papalko, Cline, and others involved in making this exhibit possible: "For me, the coolest thing is for us to support our community – the people who live and work there – and to have something so nice for our kids to come and learn."
To learn more about visiting the Hocking Hills Children’s Museum and its Columbia Gas of Ohio Dig Pit, visit www.hhchildrensmuseum.com.
Photos courtesy of Hocking Hills Children's Museum