HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 08-24 Michael lane Nature Center where birds and bees fly REVIEW In Maplewood - �
Michael
where
by Anne Skinner
A nature center in Maplewood received
a shot in the arm Aug. 11 with the city
council's approval of design and layout
plans for the center's main building.
Following the council's action, all that
remains of the three phase project is
completion of final plans and
specifications, bids let and construction
initiated. According to Bruce Anderson,
assistant community services director,
construction of the building is expected to
be completed by mid-January. "We hope
to let bids and start construction by mid-
October,with construction completed by
mid-January," he related.
The$85,000 building will be a modern
design with a main classroom in the
center. It will also house washrooms, a
laboratory space,storage area and a bird
observation window as well as office
space.
Theoretically, if all goes according to
plan,Maplewood residents will be able to
enjoy cross country skiing and snow
shoeing in the center by early February,
Anderson said.
The exterior will be rough hewn cedar.
Its design drew more than one expression
of dissatisfaction from the city council.
Councilman Chuck Kent noted he didn't
care for the design but he had been
convinced"it was vandal proof,"a major
consideration in the design.
Kent also asked that a diagonal window
be replaced with a conventional one. "I
don't think it's practical and I think it's
dumb," he commented about the bird
observation window.
Councilman Don Wiegert expressed
concern over the fact only seven parking
spaces and two bus stalls had been
designed for the facility. The community
services department then agreed to move
the building north to accomodate future
parking needs, if found to be necessary.
Anderson later explained the depart-
ment's thinking regarding the parking:
"The reasoning was that the site is only 38
acres and isn't an amusement park. Our
concern was that we would limit the
number of people on site by limiting the
parking. The site can't accomodate a lot
of people criss crossing each other while
still giving people the experience we think
the center offers."
He added, an influx of visitors would
also tend to "run the wildlife out."
AMONG THE WILDLIFE FOUND in
the area are: pied-billed grebe, black
Lane Nature —
Center
birds and bees fly
...
crowned night heron, mallard, blue- Phase two will involve construction of will have a sunken area for demon-
winged teal, ring-necked pheasant, the building. Phase three will complete strations as well as bulletin boards and
American coot, killdeer, black tern, the $260,000 project, adding finishing movie screens.
mourning dove, yellow-shafted flicker, touches such as landscaping,lighting and
red-headed woodpecker, eastern signs.
kingbird, tree and barn swallow, ANOTHER FEATURE OF THE
martin, blue jay, house wren, catbird, federal and local colevels Them e federal plane sN in is t minds.t it as"The ebuild ng d with la is
brown thrasher, Baltimore oriole, government has agreed to pay 50 percent situated to get the good light too,"
brewer's blackbird, muskrat, mink, of the cost, while the local and state Anderson noted.
gopher, mole, rabbit and squirrel. governments split the remaining per- When completed,visitors will be able to
centage. A large portion of the city's take self-guided tours throughout the
The wildlife noted were recorded in share has been contributed by the North grounds.The main entrance is off of East
June of 1974. The intent of the center is Maplewood Lions Club,Anderson related. Seventh and Century Avenue by Dege
educational. It is hoped the environment He noted the city has also obtained a Garden Center.
will become a permanant habitat for the one year grant to employ a full time
wildlife already present. naturalist at the center."We would like to Private tours are available by calling
keep a naturalist on the premises full the community services department at
CURRENTLY, PHASE ONE, time," he added. Future funding for the city hall.Visitors are welcome to walk the
development of the trails, laying elm position is uncertain, although he men- trails alone as well.
wood chips and installation of curb and tioned partial assistance might be found "We hope to include of program of
gutter around the building, has been through School District 622.
completed. The center is open to the The department is working on a and taxid outdoor ermy �education,"es, nature i A interpretation
public,although the entrance has not yet curriculum program with the district to related.He foresees it will e used by the
been completed. Parking is advised on utilize the center on a daily educational school district during the day and the
Michael Lane. basis.The classroom area of the building public during the evenings.
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THE LAYOUT OF THE center is seen above. It is expected to include about two miles of nature
trails which can also be utilized for cross country skiing and snow shoeing during winter months.
The bulk of the work is expected to be completed by early February,1978.
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