The Santa Fe Children’s Museum (SFCM) is redesigning and expanding The Backyard, an acre-plus outdoor education and play space. The Masterplan reimagines the current space with a nature-based health equity strategy that fosters exploration and encourages outdoor play for all children and families.
The expansive plan augments the sustainable green space with ADA upgrades and 28 new or renovated exhibits and explorative environments. Highlights include a music plaza and amphitheater; a natural playground equipped with ropes, nets, and boulders; a zipline; imaginative play structures that honor New Mexico’s history and heritage; and an outdoor classroom, art studio, and kitchen facility. SFCM has developed The Backyard Masterplan collaboratively with the National Wildlife Federation, ECHO (Early Childhood Health Outdoors), Surroundings Design Studio, and SDV Construction, Inc.
The goals of this phased renovation will be to:
Provide access to naturalized playscapes and exhibits for our children and families to run, play, and experience the world.
Introduce hands-on gardening and education encourages the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables
Provide positive experiences including building skills in teaching, landscaping, gardening, and social interaction skill-building.
Create a broader understanding and respect for the outdoors
Increase knowledge of outdoor recreation
Foster stewardship of recreational spaces in the State of New Mexico
**UPDATE**
The outside lawn and our Rubik’s cube is open for guests to enjoy Wednesday – Friday!
As of 9/13/23
The Backyard will reopen to the public during the summer of 2024!
More details and dates will become available early June.
As of 4/1/24
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the outdoor renovation?
To meet the bold vision of every young child experiencing nature daily, the Santa Fe Children’s Museum has embarked on an exciting and transformative master plan renovation of its acre-plus outdoor space. In total, 28 exhibit spaces and areas will be re-envisioned to naturalize play and provide outdoor recreation experiences for our children and families in New Mexico.
When does the renovation start, and how long will the outdoor space be closed?
This exciting project breaks ground on March 20 (to complete Phase 1), which will transform our walkways to be ADA accessible. The outdoor space will be closed for renovation and will reopen to the public in Summer 2024!
Who is the general contractor for this project?
SDV Construction® is an award-winning, certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business that provides construction services to clients throughout the southwest.
Who is funding this project, and are you seeking more funding?
The Santa Fe Children’s Museum is a non-profit. All funds raised for the renovation will come from Government, Foundation, Corporate, and Individual donors.
Thanks to the generosity of the State of NM and the capital outlay program, this phase will transform our walkways to be fully ADA accessible so that all kids and families can enjoy the Children’s Museum! We are grateful to our legislature for providing their support to fund this phase. We continue to seek funding and partners for this project which totals over $1 million. Your support will help make new exhibits, and outdoor play possible for countless children and families so that the Santa Fe Children’s Museum continues to enrich the lives of children and families in our community.
UPCOMING AMPHITHEATER IS SUPPORTED BY:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Executive Director Hannah Hausman:
505-989-8359, ext. 100
hhausman@santafechildrensmuseum.org
CONTINUE THE IMPACT
Your support helps to make this project possible!
