One of the Garden State’s most prominent museums is getting a major upgrade that includes lots of new outdoor exhibits as construction has begun on Liberty Science Center’s Project Supernova plan.
Local and state leaders, along with officials with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, recently broke ground on a $40 million transformation of Liberty Science Center’s physical campus. Jersey Digs reported on the plans last year, when the state awarded a $39.6 million tax credit over five years under its new Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program.
“Project Supernova is a vibrant fusion of science, ecology, and culture.” said Liberty Science Center President and CEO Paul Hoffman. “The project celebrates the intersection of science and culture, honoring New Jersey’s famous scientific legacy and natural ecosystems. And true to the DNA of Liberty Science Center, the project is bold, forward-looking, and inclusive, and it transforms the Center into an all-weather campus where learning is fun, hands-on, and accessible to all.”
The new features at the revamped Liberty Science Center will include a kid’s corner playground for goats and children. A designated ground-level area will house a barn and allow trained staff to facilitate supervised interactions between the two groups, bringing an engaging educational component to the experience.
Other unique features coming to the facility include a river otter habitat that features both wet and dry areas. A state-of-the-art mini golf course will demonstrate core physics principles on each hole, while a pollinator garden path will wind through the space, with seating and viewing areas for outdoor visitors.
Liberty Science Center will also be getting a unique big balloon created by internationally renowned Argentinian conceptual artist Leandro Erlich specifically for the facility. The massive 90-foot-high balloon will be totally upside down, with the multi-colored balloon resting at the bottom and the payload basket for carrying people and equipment at the top.
“Today’s groundbreaking is happening in the state with the highest concentration of scientists and engineers per square mile anywhere in the country, and that’s no accident,” said New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill during the groundbreaking. “I am proud to see the EDA and Liberty Science Center turn that legacy into a campus where families learn side by side, reaching 280,000 students a year with room to serve many more.”
The Center’s expansion will include a 9/11 Memorial Garden featuring two original World Trade Center beams donated to the Center by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The project will also replace the existing Our Hudson Home exhibition with a modern and highly engaging River Rising exhibition.
Other changes as part of the renovation will include a revamp of the building’s layout, a refresh of the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, new outdoor spaces, and the expansion of the Wild About Animals habitat. An estimated timeline for the completion of the renovation has not been announced.
