It’s true that all good things must come to an end, but lucky for us, in the case of Eastman Nature Center, “the end” is only temporary. At the end of May, the current building will be torn down and a new one, slightly larger in size, will be rebuilt in the same location with an opening slated for summer 2012.
More than five years ago, a proposition to remodel the building was drawn up to include window replacements, a better roofline and more. Funding wasn’t available at the time, so the project was tabled, and staff started thinking about more long-term plans. “Why not start from scratch and get the building functioning the way we want it to?” says Lee Ann Landstrom, outdoor education supervisor at Eastman Nature Center.
The new 12,200-square-foot building will house a variety of brand-new, high-quality exhibits with the central theme of “layers of the forest.” A hollowed out fake tree will serve as a play area for children’s puppet shows, while adults can learn in the quiet library and reading room. A screened-in porch and open-air deck will be adjacent to a quiet observation room. Three larger classrooms will include all of the latest digital projection equipment.
Afraid of missing out on the valuable programs the nature center offers? Fear not, as most programming will shift over to other centers like the Pavilion at Fish Lake Park and West Coon Rapids Visitor Center.
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If you’d like to say goodbye to the old building, head over to Eastman Nature Center on May 1, where there’ll be a Celebrate New Beginnings party at 1 p.m. complete with face painting and roasted marshmallows.
