Garoon Gateway to Science

Garoon Gateway is an outdoor, hands-on science museum for children around the ages of 8-14. The park is private, located on the Lake County JCC campus, and is only open to the public during special events. This state-of-the-art outdoor science park uses a unique experiential learning approach to investigate the eight basic science principles. The Gateway consists of a Court of Water, Forces, Energy, Sound, Motion, Waves, Vision, and Biology. When guests arrive at the park, they are greeted by a large statue of a child jumping rope. The statue is placed there to get children thinking and encourage them to ask questions, as in, how does a heavy piece of art balance on a small strand of metal? What scientific principles apply to the statue structure? With 62 hand-on exhibits, this park invites all to explore science with curiosity and creativity. This park not only promotes scientific learning but encourages growth in skills such as experimentation and teamwork.

Eriksson Engineering Associates, Ltd. (EEA) assisted with turning a vacant area of the campus into an outdoor science-related educational park. EEA reviewed previous campus plans, existing as-built conditions, and proposed requirements with assistance from Lake County Planning, Building & Development. This effort led to the conclusion that the existing detention basin had sufficient capacity to accommodate the proposed science park project without modification, reducing site-related construction costs. EEA worked closely with the landscape architect to develop grading plans and coordinate landscape, irrigation, and lighting features throughout the park that would enhance offerings provided for end-users.