HUNTINGTON The Huntington Children’s Museum, which opened in July 2024, plans to add an inclusive outdoor Sensory Garden, thanks to recently receiving a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant.
Features of the new Sensory Garden, which the Children’s Museum hopes to open in May, will include tactile and fragrant plants, musical and sound-based elements, a fairy garden, wide pathways, raised beds, shaded sitting areas, an outdoor classroom space, quiet sensory-regulation areas and possibly a mural.
The T-Mobile funding was awarded specifically to develop the Sensory Garden. Joe Barbour, rural market manager for T-Mobile, presented the check to the Huntington Children’s Museum in December.
“This project really stood out because of the impact it was going to make in the community,” he said.
While encouraging children to learn through play, the Huntington Children’s Museum is dedicated to fostering curiosity and offers interactive exhibits indoors such as a child-sized city, a water table, a sand table, an indoor climbing area and a stop-motion video creation station.
Raine Klover is the executive director at the Huntington Children’s Museum.
“We need to get our kids outside more and with sensory garden specifically,” Klover said. “We are allowing children and people with low vision to experience it.”
She added there will be signage and sensory cues throughout the garden to have the best experience.
“It will also be accessible for wheelchairs. One of our core values here at the museum is accessibility, and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the space,” she said.
The Sensory Garden will be behind the museum in an already fenced-off area. Plants will be featured in different areas that focus on different learning objectives like color or senses such as scent and touch.
Features of the Sensory Garden project will include:
• Diverse plant life: The garden will showcase a variety of textured and fragrant plants, catering to different sensory preferences and needs. These plants will not only engage the senses but also provide educational opportunities about biodiversity and horticulture.
• Auditory engagement: By incorporating musical instruments and sound elements, the garden will create an auditory landscape that enhances the sensory experience. This feature encourages exploration and interaction, making learning fun and engaging.
• Mobility-friendly design: The garden will include wide pathways, raised garden beds and ample seating areas, ensuring accessibility for all visitors. This thoughtful design addresses the mobility restrictions faced by many children and caregivers, creating a welcoming space for everyone.
• Therapeutic environment: The calming natural environment will promote stress reduction and anxiety relief, providing a safe space for children and their caregivers to unwind. This aspect is crucial in supporting mental health, especially in light of rising mental health concerns among young populations.
• Social interaction: The garden aims to enhance social connections, allowing children to engage with peers and caregivers through collaborative play and shared exploration. This fosters a sense of community and belonging, which is essential for individual well-being.
• Educational components: The garden will provide an immersive environment for guests to explore scientific concepts related to botany and ecology. Through discovery, children will develop an in-depth understanding of plant species, insects and our ecosystem.
The T-Mobile grant builds on other funding, like past support from the Pilot Club for a reading nook, a grant from Lowe’s and American Rescue Plan Act funds for renovations.
At 1700 Washington Ave. in Huntington, the Children’s Museum is available for birthday parties, private events and field trips. Admission is $10 for adults and children 2 and older (infants free). For those who receive SNAP or WIC benefits, admission is $2 for adults and children 2 and older.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Parking is free. For more information, call (681) 378-3330 or visit hcmkids.org.
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