Yesterday the Children’s Museum announced a public capital campaign to raise $2.2 million for infrastructure improvements to the museum and to help fund a planned park in Allegheny Center.

Since 2007 the Children’s Museum has raised $6.3 million as part of its ongoing capital campaign. The newly announced phase, Connect with Nature. Art. Each Other., is an extension of that.

Much of the $6.3 million raised so far will go toward the $6 million Allegheny Public Square Park (you can read previous Chronicle coverage of the park here, and Northsider’s reactions to it here).  The remainder of the funds will go toward improvements to the museum’s nursery exhibit, construction of a new outdoor climbing structure and renovations to the store and cafe.

Museum Board of Directors President Evan Rosenberg also announced a $250,000 challenge grant from the Buhl Foundation.  For every $2 in private donations from Northside businesses or residents, the foundation will give the museum $1.

The museum celebrated the announcement with summer-themed refreshments, including lemonade, popcorn and Rita’s Italian Ice.  Students from the Creative and Performing Arts Middle and High Schools as well as elementary students from Allegheny Traditional Academy were on hand to hear the announcement and enjoy refreshments as well.

For information on donating to the campaign, call MJ Meenen at 412-586-6059 or visit www.pittsburghkids.org.