Albany International Airport has installed a new children’s play area — the Adirondack Imaginarium — created in collaboration with The Wild Center, the Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center in Onchiota, and artist Gracelee Lawrence.
The airport’s new thirteen-hundred-square-feet children’s play area — the Adirondack Imaginarium — celebrates the natural and cultural beauty of New York’s North Country and the Adirondacks.
The space, part of the Airport’s $100 million Main Terminal Revitalization Project, combines hands-on play, art, and education in a welcoming setting for families.
Highlights include a recreation of popular exhibits from The Wild Center such as the Wild Walk Eagle’s Nest and an interactive game developed by Wild Center Curator Leah Valerio that encourages children to experience a “year in the life” of a bald eagle.
A large panoramic photograph shows the exact view of the Raquette River Oxbow as seen from The Wild Center’s Wild Walk, bringing Tupper Lake to travelers in the Capital Region.
On the opposite wall, a vibrant mural by Mohawk artist and Director of Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center David Kanietakeron Fadden depicts scenes from nature, including trees, mountains, lakes, and wildlife.
The scenery is accompanied by a video of Fadden reciting the traditional Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, a message of gratitude that honors the interconnectedness of all living things.
The sculpture, “Apple of Your Eye” by Gracelee Lawrence, a University at Albany Assistant Professor of Studio Art, adds a modern artistic element inspired by natural forms, blending color, light, and movement in a way that invites imagination and curiosity.
“The completion of these milestones marks a transformative moment for Albany International Airport and the entire Capital Region, demonstrating our collective commitment to creating world-class facilities that welcome travelers, support families and reflect the innovation and progress that defines New York,” Governor Kathy Hochul said about the projects.
“This is just the beginning of our ambitious vision to modernize this critical Capital Region gateway, and it doesn’t stop here. We are making critical investments to significantly enhance facilities across upstate New York, providing travelers with an unrivaled 21st century travel experience,” she said.
“At The Wild Center, we believe everyone deserves opportunities to explore, play, and feel welcomed,” said Executive Director Stephanie Ratcliffe. “Helping contribute to a space that supports families and young children was deeply important to us. We’re proud to be able to welcome visitors to the region and introduce them to the Adirondacks in a way that is not only fun and inspiring, but also inclusive and calming for all who pass through.”
Located in Tupper Lake, NY, The Wild Center uses science-based experiences, exhibits and programs to open new ways to look into the relationship that people have with nature and to promote environmental best practices. The Wild Center’s re-imagined experience utilizes Wild Walk and its largely outdoor 115-acre campus.
Read more about the Adirondacks.
Photos provided.
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