Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Exciting things are happening at the Naranjo Museum of Natural History in Lufkin, Texas. The museum has officially broken ground on a one-of-a-kind playground that’s set to thrill kids and families alike. The dinosaur-themed play area, expected to be completed by August, is just the first phase of a massive three-phase expansion aimed at making the museum an even bigger educational hub. The museum’s founder, Dr. Neal Naranjo, says this new playground is only the beginning of their vision to bring more interactive, hands-on learning experiences to East Texas.
A Playground Like No Other
Lufkin residents can soon look forward to an extraordinary playground experience like no other. The Naranjo Museum’s upcoming dinosaur-themed playground will bring a whole new dimension of fun to the area. Museum founder, Dr. Neal Naranjo, promises it will be unlike any playground previously seen in Lufkin. This new addition is expected to offer children the opportunity to play, learn, and connect with the fascinating world of dinosaurs in a unique, interactive setting.
Kristina Ziegler, a frequent visitor to the museum, expressed her excitement about the new addition. “We’ve been coming for a while, and our kids absolutely love it,” she said. “The kids are going to have so much fun with the new playground. We can’t wait for them to have even more places to play while we enjoy the museum.”
The playground is set to be completed by August, marking the first significant step in the museum’s larger expansion plans.
The Three-Phase Expansion: A Vision for Growth
The playground is just the beginning of the Naranjo Museum’s ambitious expansion plan. According to architect Guillermo Sahagún, the development will unfold in three phases. The first phase, of course, is the much-anticipated playground, which is already under construction.
The second phase will bring two new buildings next to the playground. One will be an event space with room for new exhibits, while the other will house a dino lab and research facility. The museum’s current lab is bursting at the seams, with an ever-growing collection of fossils and artifacts. As Dr. Naranjo explained, the museum has simply outgrown its current space.
“The original space is getting pretty crowded,” he said. “We’ve run out of room for all the incredible finds we have, and we need more space for future discoveries.”
The third and final phase will be the crowning jewel of the museum’s expansion—a massive three-story museum featuring a planetarium and an expansive rooftop terrace. The building will allow the museum to broaden its educational offerings and attract more visitors from across the region.
A $5 Million Investment in Education and Culture
The total cost for the expansion is estimated to be around $5 million, with plans to finish the two new buildings by next year. Tomas Gonzalez, the museum’s board president, shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming changes, highlighting how the museum is becoming a key player in Lufkin’s educational and cultural landscape.
“Our goal is to serve as a hub for education and cultural development,” Gonzalez said. “We want to offer our community a world-class venue that fosters learning and creativity.”
The expansion will not only offer more exhibits and research space, but it will also allow the museum to host more events, workshops, and educational programs, making it an even more integral part of East Texas.
A Growing Need for More Space
The Naranjo Museum’s growth reflects the increasing demand for more hands-on, educational experiences in Lufkin. Since its founding, the museum has become a beloved destination for families, schools, and tourists, offering a wide variety of exhibits, including prehistoric fossils and interactive displays. As the museum’s collection grows and its audience expands, so too does the need for a bigger, more modern space.
With the addition of the playground, research facilities, and the new museum building, the Naranjo Museum is poised to become a major educational resource for generations to come.
Looking Ahead: A Brighter Future for the Naranjo Museum
With its current expansion project underway, the Naranjo Museum is preparing for a future full of exciting possibilities. By increasing the museum’s capacity for exhibits, research, and public events, the museum will be able to reach more people and offer an even more enriching experience.
In addition to the playground, the future of the Naranjo Museum holds great promise. As Lufkin’s cultural and educational hub, the museum’s growth signals a bright future for learning and discovery in East Texas.
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