A Grand Opening and a Dream Fulfilled
By Ellen Kuker – Parks Director at Greenfield Parks & Recreation
ABAS is providing ongoing funding for the taxidermy efforts of Greenfield Parks.
Scotty the river otter, Beatrice the beaver, and a wise old owl named Hootie have taken up residence at the new Thornwood Nature Center in Greenfield.
The taxidermy wildlife is a key component of the new center, which sits just south of the entrance to the existing Thornwood Nature Preserve. A grand opening ceremony will be held on Friday, September 20, and the center will open to the public the next day.
The nature center has been a labor of love two years in the making. Inside, guests will enjoy several interactive exhibits, educational videos, and displays including a whimsical oak tree which houses a variety of wildlife.
It will also achieve the Greenfield Parks Department’s goal to grow its nature programming. Next year, parks staff hope to offer a wide variety of events like scavenger hunts, campouts, and a “Night Owl” program with a Harry Potter theme, as well as opportunities to make bird feeders and other nature-inspired projects.
To make that vision a reality, the staff set out to secure donations in 2022 to transform a retired trailer into a future nature center. Over the past two years, team members poured their creativity and dedication into the project, designing a space that will educate and enlighten guests for years to come.
The nature center is now the crown jewel of the Thornwood Nature Preserve, a 40-acre woodland which was donated in parts by Herb and Judy Brown in 2006 and 2009.
Their dream was for the woodlands to be kept as natural as possible, but for access to be given to the community they loved. That dream became a reality when the preserve opened to the public in 2016, complete with natural trails, a suspension bridge, and a campground. The new nature center will assure that guests have an unforgettable experience when visiting the woodland preserve the Browns held dear.
Thornwood Nature Center’s grand opening takes place at 11am on September 20, at 1707 S. Morristown Pike in Greenfield. Greenfield Mayor Guy Titus and the Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce will be on site to cut the ribbon, with light refreshments and tours to follow.
The center officially opens to the public Saturday, September 21, from 11am to 4pm. For more information, visit parksingreenfield.com
