While children may love to play in puddles, it’s their parents that might not be too excited to load their muddy kids back into the car after a day at the rain-soaked park.

Friendship Field at Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum had drainage issues, says Ericka Pauly, event and marketing director for the museum. While the rain, rain might go away, the puddles might stick around for days.

A generous donation from a private donor has fixed that and more, the money not only improving the park’s stormwater infrastructure but also going toward a number of new features. And now the Discovery Museum is ready to celebrate.

The museum is hosting a grand re-opening celebration for Friendship Field with a happy Hula Party this Friday, Aug. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. The event, which is free for members and included with the price of admission otherwise, includes tie-dye activities, goodie bag giveaways, a hula contest, sidewalk chalk, and more.

“We’re super excited to have the backyard to utilize again, to have the space readily available for everyone,” says Pauly.

“It’s important for the kiddos to be able to go outside in a safe environment.”

Friendship Field is just one of the Discovery Museum’s many exhibits, which also include the Beemazium, Water Works, Inc., the Exploratorium, and more.

Outside, the mud pie kitchen has been updated with all sorts of new utensils to make mud pies, cakes, and cookies. A new bridge has been installed, complete with vines and a cooling misting feature. Even the older toys have been refurbished.

Though they would have liked to open the backyard sooner, mother nature wasn’t cooperating. Now that it’s open, children are free to run around the new grass and plants, and learn where food comes from in the fruits and vegetables garden.

Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum is located at 5093 E. Remus Rd. in Mt. Pleasant.

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