Laserfiche WebLink
An evaluation of Wargo Nature Center's existing site, <br />building conditions, programming and operations was <br />conducted at the beginning of the master planning process. <br />The project team used site visits, walking tours, input from <br />nature center and county staff, an online questionnaire, <br />stakeholder/peer group evaluations, and map and photo <br />analysis to assess existing conditions and understand <br />needs. <br />LOCATION & REGIONAL CONTEXT <br />Wargo Nature Center is located within the Twin Cities <br />metropolitan area, 25 miles north of Minneapolis and <br />Saint Paul. The 20 acre nature center campus is located on <br />a peninsula on George Watch Lake, within the Rice Creek <br />Chain of Lakes Regional Park Reserve in Anoka County. <br />Vehicle access to the Nature Center can be obtained <br />from both Interstates 35W and 35E. The nature center's <br />distinctive features include an outstanding outreach <br />program to area schools through its relationship with <br />Connexus Energy, wonderful birding opportunities, great <br />proximity to wetlands and the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes, <br />and rare access to four different ecotypes of lake, wetland, <br />wood, and prairie. <br />Three other nature centers are within 15 miles of Wargo; <br />Lee & Rose Warner, Tamarack, and Springbrook Nature <br />Centers. Additionally, there are 15 nature centers within <br />the Twin Cities seven county metropolitan area, each <br />Wargo Nature Center Master Plan - March 2015 <br />cultivating and relying on a distinct niche to attract and <br />retain visitors. For example, Tamarack Nature Center has <br />developed a popular interactive nature play area, Dodge <br />Nature Center has a well-known preschool program, and <br />Eastman Nature Center's newly constructed 14,000 square <br />foot building has a strong event space rental program and <br />exceptional indoor/outdoor relationship. Among Twin <br />Cities area nature centers, Wargo's niche is outreach and <br />recreation -based environmental programs, but it lacks a <br />strong regional identity. <br />While the nature center's location on a peninsula gives it <br />outstanding potential access to wetland and lacustrine <br />habitats, it also results in limited access and connectivity <br />within the larger Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park <br />Reserve. The wetlands and water surrounding Wargo <br />Nature Center make it difficult to create additional trail <br />connections to the park beyond, although the center does <br />benefit from the Central Anoka County Regional Trail along <br />County Road 14. <br />Needs identified throughout this chapter are <br />based on input from Anoka County Parks staff, <br />focus group input, on-line survey feedback and <br />site and building assessment by the consultant <br />team. <br />Chapter 2: Existing Conditions & Needs 11 <br />