Construction Continues at Eastman Nature Center

As summer nature programs continue in the Three Rivers Park District, so does the construction of the Eastman Nature Center.

Demolition of the former nature center in the in Maple Grove and Dayton took place in May 2011. Since then, the nature center has been closed, programs moved and construction ongoing. 

The former building is being replaced by a new 13,000-square-foot building on the same site.

“I visit the Eastman Nature Center site almost weekly and take photos, which are put on our Eastman Nature Center Facebook page. Folks can follow the developments there,” Outdoor Education Supervisor Lee Ann Landstrom said.

Staff, such as Landstrom, and the live animals previously housed at Eastman have been taken temporarily residence at other sites around the Three Rivers Park District. The animals, including the owl, are at French Regional Park in Plymouth.

“It's hard to tell anything with an owl, but he seemed to adjust right away to the new setting,” Landstrom said of the transition. “We will move the whole mew [housing] back to Eastman when we reopen. We will also have a larger fenced 'yard' where he will sit outside most of the day for public viewing.”

In addition to a larger area for the Eastman owl, the new nature center will have many new features and space such as:

• Quiet reading and observation rooms

• Larger classrooms

• Larger exhibit area with wildlife watching

• New professional exhibits

• Open-air deck

• Small coffee service

• Public wi-fi signal

• After-hours restroom

“Whether people visit Eastman to take a class or to relax and watch wildlife, I think they’re going to love the new building,” said Commissioner Sara Wyatt, who represents Maple Grove on the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners in a news release. “From larger classroom spaces to expanded wildlife exhibits to an open-air deck for bird watching, the new Eastman Nature Center really will have something for everyone.”

During the construction at Eastman Nature Center, programs and events are offered at in Maple Grove and West Coon Rapids Dam Visitor Center in Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park in Brooklyn Park.

Hiking and biking trails near Eastman Nature Center are open with a detour for access around the closed construction zone, according to Three Rivers Park District.

The new nature center is expected to open in the summer of 2012.