More details on Museum of Life and Science's expansion plans

There is a lot of excitement about the Museum of Life and Science's plans for a $3.9 million project to add two new outdoor exhibits to the already very popular destination.

First: The two new exhibits - the nature-based playspace Hideaway Woods and Earth Moves, an interactive approach to Earth sciences - will not displace any current exhibits. Both are being built in unoccupied spaces, I'm told.

Hideaway Woods, which is scheduled to open in summer 2015, will be located inside the Ellerbe Creek train loop. Visitors will access it through a pedestrian tunnel that will be punched through the existing hill surrounding the tracks so guests can walk under the train to reach the area.

Earth Moves, which is scheduled to open in 2016, will be built in the field across from Into the Mist. 

I also heard from a reader who wondered if Hideaway Woods was going to replace Loblolly Park, the outdoor play yard with drums, a caboose, water play and sandbox. It won't (because Hideaway Woods will be in a different spot). But, the museum will be making some improvements to Loblolly so there will be some changes in that area as well.

The museum sent over a couple of site maps for both projects so you can get a closer look at all of the exhibit components. And they have a lot of information about the plans on their website.