IN BILL’S
BACKYARD
Ten Exciting Places to Explore
October/November 2017 61
MAKING AN ENTR ANCE
Not one to rest on her laurels, Jennings is
already looking ahead to the next step in
the evolutions and growth of the CDM.
“The final piece in our master plan is
to rethink how you enter, and how we
put some energy into how families are
approaching the museum,” says Jennings.
“Whether you’re coming by car or bike or
light rail, how does the discovery process
kick in right when you get out of your car
or off of the train? What clues you in to
this neighborhood you’re in, in downtown
San Jose, and to the interactive learning
that you’re going to experience once you
do find the front door?”
• Tree Climber: A specially designed
structure with skybridges encourages
children to climb, cross skybridges
suspended between trees, and see the
world from a new perspective.
• Lookout Tower and Tunnel: This
tower with an underground tunnel and
hill invites kids to scurry up and roll
down while exploring nearby, lifelike animal
habitats.
• Jr. Ranger Station: Maps, signs,
fossils and touchable animal skeletons
introduce families to the natural features
and creatures they will encounter during
their visit.
• Fort Building: Reeds, grasses, willow
branches and flowers inspire children
to design, build, and create their
own dwellings with natural materials.
• Dig Pit: A giant pit filled with stones
provides busy youngsters with hours of
shoveling, digging, scooping and relocating
gravel, rocks, sand, and dirt.
• Dry Creek: A dry creek bed where
rocks can be rearranged creates fun and
empowering experiences for children of
That is her next big project, re-envisioning
how you enter the museum.
In the original concept for the grassy
park where the museum sits, the Tech Museum
of Innovation would have faced the
CDM’s front doors, with a covered portico
guiding visitors from the parking lots and
light rail to the entrance. But the Tech was
sited elsewhere in downtown San Jose,
leaving visitors struggling to easily comprehend
how to access the distinctive geometric
CDM building, designed by Mexico
City–based architect Ricardo Legorreta.
“As San Jose continues to grow—and,
you know the growth rate is off the chart—
families are going to be moving here. I
want to make sure that wherever people are
coming from, that they have a good path to
follow feels like discovery in action.”
Jennings plans to make sure that at the
center of downtown, all paths lead clearly
and naturally to CDM. n
The final piece in
her master plan is
to rethink how you
enter the museum.
all ages. Underground collection basins
turn this area into a water play experience
during the rainy season, while a
special hand pump for kids to use will
reinforce the importance of water as a
natural resource.
• Garden: Raised planter beds provide
children with the opportunity to prepare
soil, plant seeds, and learn where their
food comes from.
• Tree of 40 Fruit: Grafted with 40
different local stone fruit varieties by
artist Sam Van Aken, this innovative tree
highlights the intersection of science
and art. It also provides a shady storytelling
area.
• Outdoor Pavilion: Complete with a
solar roof, this outdoor classroom is a
versatile and shaded space for facilitated
activities and nature investigations.
• Bronze Animals: Life-size and
true to form, bronze animals appear
throughout the backyard in their natural
habitats: a bobcat hidden in the bush by
the creek, a hawk on top of the lookout
tower, and many more.