As any parent knows, kids love digging in the sand. A new museum exhibit in Ohio allows them to do just that in a clean, fun and informative way.
The Columbia Gas of Ohio Dig Pit at the Hocking Hills Children’s Museum lets children don plastic hard hats and safety vests and dig in sand-like rubber granules to discover real—but non-functioning—natural gas pipelines. The museum also provides toys including excavators, backhoes and dump trucks that children can use to dig, scoop and dump the sandy material.
“Our friends at the museum have shared that it’s one of their most popular exhibits,” Amanda DePerro, communications specialist at Columbia Gas of Ohio, told American Gas. “But we’ve also made sure to include plenty of educational material around it for children or their parents who are watching them nearby.”
Both parents and children can learn about safe digging practices, while parents can read OHIO811 messaging that reminds them to call 811 before any digging project.
“We also hope it acquaints children with the Columbia Gas of Ohio brand and inspires children to learn more about natural gas and what it does for their home,” DePerro said. “The goal is to help children make that connection between Columbia Gas and what happens when a grown-up turns on the gas stove or heater.”
The 10-by-10 dig pit, which is filled with 1,120 pounds of rubber granules, is Columbia Gas of Ohio’s first permanent dig pit. The utility has operated a popular mobile dig pit for more than five years.
“We are proud to be a part of this project that shares critical safe digging messaging with children and their parents, and we hope the dig pit is a place where children create positive memories for years to come,” DePerro said. “If even one child grows up with an interest in engineering or construction or one of the many other career paths within the natural gas industry because they visited the Hocking Hills Children’s Museum, the dig pit is a massive success.” —Eric Johnson