Renovated Nature Center Opens at Pymatuning State Park
ANDOVER, Ohio- The newly renovated nature center at Pymatuning State Park, remodeled inside and out, officially opened Wednesday. Updates include new exhibits, hands-on stations, and native wildlife displays.
On hand for the ribbon cutting was Daniel Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. He was joined by staff from ODNR’s Division of Parks and Watercraft, partners, park volunteers and park visitors.
“Our vision for each nature center is to spark interest in learning about nature and encourage conservation of Ohio’s precious natural resources,” Mertz said. “Investing in our nature centers increases an appreciation for being outside and learning more about the natural world around us.”
Wetlands and the wildlife associated with wetlands is the focus of the new American beaver exhibit, which allows visitors to peer inside a replica beaver lodge. Other exhibits include a pollinator station and a wingspan mural. Park staff also created several new exhibits for people to enjoy. These include two bird feeding stations, a life-sized bald eagle nest replica, a woodland animal exhibit, and several interactive games and displays geared toward younger visitors.
Upgrades to the building’s interior and exterior include new lighting, a new roof, new paint, and updated heating and air conditioning components. A space has also been designated in the center for a future law enforcement office.
More information on Pymatuning State Park’s nature center and other facilities, including overnight accommodations, is available HERE.
Pictured: ODNR Director Daniel Mertz and park officials gather with children to mark the reopening of the nature center.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
