Interpretive Center
Features & Goals

 

This year-round, multi-use center is envisioned to include dynamic elements that will enrich the visitor experience, enhance its operations and serve the community.

It will be a source of pride, knowledge and fill a much-needed void in the park’s infrastructure and offerings.

Features and Goals

A state-of-the-art educational facility relevant and adaptable to serve visitors of all ages and abilities

  • Provide a year-round, multi-use facility

  • Offer a spectrum of educational exhibits, classrooms and flexible spaces to host educational and community events

  • Provide an interpretive and educational display areas for visitors and students

  • Incorporate modern technology and resources

  • Provide as a virtual gateway to local, state and nationally significant recreational, natural and cultural resources

  • Strengthen local, regional, statewide, national and international partnerships 

Maintain scenic and visual quality of the property through thoughtful design

  • Provide a connection to the lake and natural resources

  • Respect scenic views from the lake, bluffs and trails and Native American effigy mounds

  • Facility design that blends with, and compliments, the natural landscape

  • Use natural, local and sustainable resources in the facility’s construction

  • Provide outdoor gathering spaces 

Meet special requirements of the property 

  • Provide space for a restaurant/coffee shop and a gift shop

  • Potential sales and rental of outdoor recreation gear

  • Offer flexible space for community gatherings

Minimize environmental impacts during the construction and operation of the facility 

  • Provide a sustainable facility meeting high-level LEED standards

  • Minimize its footprint, reducing site disturbance and the impact on natural resources to the greatest extent possible

  • Incorporate local and sustainable materials where possible

  • Minimize site disturbance for access and utilities

Minimize overall costs for site and facility construction 

  • Minimize utility construction and extensions

  • Limit the area of impervious surface materials

Meet functional and operational needs 

  • Provide space that meets the basic needs of visitors, such as active and passive information and restrooms

  • Create efficient administration space including offices, storage and program preparation space

  • Offer a spectrum of educational and interpretive display areas, incorporating current functions of the nature center and new state-of-the-art multi-media displays

Improve pedestrian and vehicular circulation and facility access in a safe, efficient way. 

  • Maintain links between camping and day-use areas

  • Provide access for pedestrians and cyclists

  • Minimize the footprint of additional parking required to meet the facility’s needs.

  • Provide clear and concise signage

Minimize the facility’s operation and maintenance costs. 

  • Use high-quality materials and systems

  • Attention to recommended lifecycle costs for future maintenance, replacement and repair costs

  • Incorporate alternative energy sources where feasible