05-15-2017 Park Board Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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INTRODUCTION Wargo Nature Center is the home base for Anoka County Parks and Recreation program staff. The 10,000 squre foot The Wargo Nature Center, located in Anoka County's Rice nature center building houses office space for outdoor Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve, is devoted to increasing eduction and recreation. Programs are held at parks the awareness and appreciation of natural and cultural throughout the County and offer a range of activities resources for all, regardless of age, ability, or background, including outdoor recreation, environmental education, It currently serves as the hub for Anoka County Parks programs for home school students, natural living, and environmental education and outdoor recreation special events. Wargo Nature Center currently offers a variety programming, as well as off-site environmental outreach. of programs and events with focus on the core audiences of Wargo is well known for its canoe and kayak offerings, and school age and preschool. In 2013 Anoka County served is a destination for birding enthusiasts. 47,000 people through its organized programs, events, and The development of the nature center fulfilled the dream drop in visitors. of Joseph E. Wargo, a longtime Anoka County resident The County enjoys partnerships with several area and District Judge. David Torkildson, Anoka County's first organizations and programs, including: Parks Director, was also a long-time advocate forthe nature a Local Schools center and played a key role in building the facility to „ Connexus Energy Partnership educate Anoka County residents about the natural world. Given the variety of natural habitats and the wonderful u School Forest Partnership Program water resources available, the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes » YMCA Camp Heritage area was high on their list of ideal locations. Joseph Wargo „ Local Park and Recreation Departments died in 1987, but thanks to his wife, Edith—who shared his dream—his estate provided funding forthe construction of » Volunteers the Wargo Nature Center. This fund, combined with grants from the Metropolitan Council, resulted in the construction The Wargo Nature Center's mission to create of the nature center in honor of Joseph Wargo in 1993. awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of natural and cultural environments will be enhanced through the implementation of the Wargo Nature Center Master Plan. This master plan establishes goals and strategies to Improve the visitor experience, increase visitorship, and promote greater program participation. To achieve this, both 'hardscape; or physical improvements, and 'soft scape' meaning improvements to marketing, programs, and operations, are addressed. Master Plan Purpose Integrates physical site improvernents with recreation , education , and outreach opportunities . Provides strategic guidance for • development . Delivers recommendationsfor • ving building interiors and outdoor classroom • • • Identifies • to area amenities . Recommends im • • • for development phasing , capital and operations budgets , and funding , 1 Wargo Nature Center - Master Plan DRAFT Executive Summary 2014