Things are popping at Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, and it’s not just the party balloons.
An expansion of the outdoor play area — to include multiple areas for youngsters to play and learn at the same time – is in the works at the Lake Station facility.
“Completion date of Phase 1 is geared toward spring of 2019,” said Bellaboo’s manager Kara Mackey. “When this phase is completed, we’ll be right at four acres total outdoors.”
Currently, one acre is devoted to outdoor activities.
The project, which will include three phases with the remaining two yet to be determined, is part of a five-year master plan to improve Lake County Parks’ 11 locations.
Bellaboo’s 22,600 square feet facility, which opened in September 2009, is located on property of Three Rivers County Park.
The colorful, interactive learning areas located are geared toward youngsters up to 9 years of age. Children are encouraged to explore, interact and use their creativity as they gain knowledge on many topics.
“We are special – there is nothing like Bellaboo’s in Northwest Indiana,” Mackey said. “Kids run the show. Their play here is valuable and important and we want them to go home with that.”
Visitors will find an art room, water table, kitchen, and other cubbies among other offerings.
The outdoor play area was developed in 2010, and the following year, Dino Dig and Climbing Boulders were added outside.
In the summer of 2014, Pedal Play riding carts were added.
The current renovation project, dubbed The Imagination Garden, will cost $3 million, but also includes some shore work along the lake at Three Rivers County Park, and rerouting and repaving the walking trail around the lake.
The expansion is the brainchild of communications specialist Emily Trisler and former parks CEO Jim Basala.
Phase 1 will incorporate a 60-foot custom-made interactive Pirate Ship, an amphitheater with picnic seating for 200-300, and a large river with play area that ends in a dam.
“This is kind of surreal – to see it go from paper to reality,” Trisler said. “It’s so much bigger than I imagined.”
Berglund Construction Co. of Chesterton and Hitchcock Design Group from Indianapolis are doing the work, officials said.
Future plans for the last two phases of the project aren’t on the drawing board yet, but a few ideas are formulating.
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“A train will run through the garden,” Trisler said. “Current construction will be laying the tracks for this.”
For more information about Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, call 219-963-2070. or visit www.MyBellaboos.com.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
