Knock Knock Children’s Museum to Break Ground: A Groundbreaking Day for our Community’s Children

East Baton Rouge Parish – Many local children were on hand to help Knock Knock Children’s Museum (KKCM) break ground Wednesday, April 22, at noon. The ceremony took place at “Knock Knock Hill” at BREC’s City-Brooks Community Park, 1515 Dalrymple Drive. The children donned bright yellow hard hats and picked up shovels to do the day’s dirty work. “This is truly a ground breaking day for the children of the capital region and a dream come true to many grown-ups who have worked hard to reach this milestone,” said Staci Deumite Duhe’, Knock Knock Chair. In addition to the groundbreaking, BREC Superintendent Carolyn McKnight announced that MD Descant Contractors won the bid t help construct the new building. Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden, was also on hand to applaud the project. “Knock Knock will be a new educational asset to the Capital Region as we talk to companies who are considering establishing their businesses and recruiting employees and relocating their families to our community,” acknowledged Mayor Holden. “We are so proud of the team that has come together for this project,” said McKnight. “I look forward to gathering here again with all of you when we open the museum’s doors.” Knock Knock Children’s Museum was founded by a grassroots group of parents, educators and concerned citizens to create a unique early learning destination for children and families in the Capital Region. When its doors open, it will be home to many hands-on interactive learning zones and educational programs for young children (0-8 years old) and their families. To date, Knock Knock has raised more than $9.4 million and is continuing to fundraise for the Learning Zones and other priorities. The new museum, which was designed by Remson Haley Herpin Architects and Cambridge Seven Associates, is sited on land in BREC’s City-Brooks Community Park. BREC and Knock Knock finalized a cooperative agreement in 2010, which established a unified community partnership to build an early learning children’s museum as well as establish early education outreach programs for children and families in our community. BREC’s mission to provide quality parks and recreational opportunities for all the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish aligns with Knock Knock’s mission to be a community spark for engaging, playful learning experiences that inspire and support lifelong learning. This public-private partnership has received many accolades from local government and business leadership throughout the community. Through this cooperative endeavor, BREC has provided a site for Knock Knock on a 6-acre site atop a hill in City-Brooks Community Park. In addition, BREC also donated $3 million in dividend revenue from a stock portfolio donated by Alice and Warren Farr. For more information on Knock Knock Children’s Museum, visit knockknockmuseum.org. Knock Knock Children’s Museum is a community spark for engaging, playful learning experiences that inspire and support lifelong learning. BREC’s mission is to provide parks and recreation opportunities for all the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish.

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