Printer Friendly Version - A New Nature Center Coming to Hammonasset

State Representative Noreen Kokoruda addresses the assembled guests at the May 22 groundbreaking ceremony for a new nature Center at Hammosasset State Park. She was joined at the podium by (from left) Friends of Hammonasset President Christine Koster, Madison First Selectman Fillmore McPherson, Governor Dannel Malloy, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Klee, Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Melody Currey, and State Senator Ted Kennedy, Jr.

One of the most-visited spots in Connecticut’s most-visited state parks is growing, thanks to a partnership between the state and the non-profit Friends of Hammonasset (FOH) group. The partnership held a May 22 groundbreaking behind the Meigs Point Nature Center on the spot where a new, larger nature center will rise.

“They are just outgrowing the space,” said FOH’s Barbara Warner of the need for a new center. “They definitely want to enhance the experience. They want to allow for a greater variety of programs and educational experiences...The bigger the better.”

The new, 4,000-square-foot center (which will keep the Meigs Point Nature Center title) will replace the existing facility. The building will have environmental exhibit space, modern bathroom facilities, and an outdoor observation deck for environmental education classes. The former nature center will remain as an administration building.

Warner said that Meigs Point Nature Center Director Russ Miller is looking to expand on what the center currently offers to visitors of the park. The new nature center will provide additional space to grow of programs and increase displays, and will remain focused on wildlife and plant life along Long Island Sound, and especially at Hammonasset.

FOH is working in conjunction with the State of Connecticut to provide funding for the construction of the new nature center. The structure itself will be funded by the state while the display cases and tanks to be featured in the new nature center will be paid for by the Friends of Hammonasset.

While the selection of the site, right behind the existing center, seems a no-brainer, there were a number of environmental and archaeological issues to be worked through first.

“We went through and did tests over the last few years to make sure we were going to be building over anything important,” said Warner.

FOH, an all-volunteer organization, is raising funds to cover its commitment to the fabrication of the new building.

“We are organizing a host of other events,” Warner said. “We are trying to get grants and get sponsors from the local community.”

“These projects are examples of important steps here at Hammonasset and throughout our park system to provide top-rated outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors,” said Governor Dannel Malloy.

“We’re doing everything we can to ensure that [state parks and preserves] can be enjoyed by many more generations of residents and visitors,” Malloy added.

Miller expects the new center to be completed by he beginning of the 2016 summer season and will open the new center with a celebration on Earth Day, according to Warner.

For more information about the new nature center and Friends of Hammonasset’s fundraising efforts, visit www.hammonasset.org.