Aerial View of kidSTREAM’s half acre outdoor space scheduled to open in 2021. Courtesy photo.
In Response to COVID, kidSTREAM has redirected a phased plan to open the outside space ahead of schedule and under budget
CAMARILLO — Working in partnership with local design firm, Landrec Playspaces, kidSTREAM is planning on opening the outside of the museum as a phased approach, and at 10% of the original budget.
The closed doors during COVID, opened unique windows of opportunity
kidSTREAM Children’s Museum made a giant leap at the beginning of 2020 by not only bringing on an Executive Director, but to bring on a seasoned veteran in the children’s museum industry. Just one short month after hiring Michael Shanklin, kidSTREAM’s inaugural Executive Director, the entire world closed down due to COVID-19. “The pandemic has been incredibly hard across the board, and the museum world has been hit especially hard by the closure,” said Shanklin, “but it allowed for us to stand back from the original plan to open the inside of the museum first, and to consider a COVID-responsive approach to bringing these resources to children who need this now more than ever.”
Keeping Resources Local
One of the opportunities that emerged during the pandemic was a chance to revisit the design of the outdoor space, and a local Thousand Oaks based design firm, Landrec became a natural partner for this redirected step. “We’ve designed unique playspaces all over the country, but it’s truly an honor to be a part of something so special and located in our own backyard,” said Joel Shnowski, Landrec Co-Founder and Lead Designer, “Ventura County is where we make our family memories. As a parent of young children, I am deeply aware of the need for this resource in our region.”
The design reflects Ventura County, from the Channel Islands to an Agricultural Space as well as a Pygmy Mammoth Dig. A treehouse climber, drought responsive creek, and amphitheater are just a few of the other exciting features that will be featured when the space opens up in 2021. “We know that the world may be on hold right now, but also know that childhood is not on hold,” said Shanklin, “and we want to be ready for our community, when our community is ready for us.”
For more information or to see more of the plans for kidSTREAM, visit www.kidstream.org. To learn more about LandRec, visit www.landrec.com.