11-06-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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An outdoor classroom is desired (beyond the amphitheater area). Outdoor classroom criteria include: a roof, seating, electricity (solar panels?), a display screen, program storage, and access to water (could be a cistern with rain water). A prairie shelter could be added as well with tables, roof with skylights, water, power, restrooms. Lots of storage needs. Garage could be 4X larger than current size. Need for an additional vehicle for transporting staff to programs. The amphitheater works well but needs upgrading. Add green infrastructure (best practices and as public demonstration/interpretation). There is no storm water control features in place at Wargo. Difficult to maintain the small prairie area in front of the building (can't burn it for regeneration). Erosion issue along the entry walk. Entry walk is also used as a driveway to the building. Heritage Lab — issues with restroom accessibility, porta-potties only there now Building — Building has some functional issues —under -whelming visitor entry experience, storage needs (?), mechanical issues, "cold" feeling in the classrooms, static displays, lack of indoor/outdoor connections, lack of use of "green" environmental -friendly materials and measures, lots of digital technology opportunities, dynamic interpretive and information displays, need for digital media/screens in each room, add a theater room? Enhance the inside/outside relationships between the building and the outdoors. Add doors to access outside. Create a place(s) to relax/hang out inside and enjoy nature/view birds. Add a tree house/canopy level space? The building entry experience is stale and should be more interesting. Need more changeable dynamic exhibits (beyond the static stuffed animals). For example, add an "osprey camera" to the existing nesting platform and web link/display. Staff offices are isolated by the touch and see room and affected by program noise/activity. Operations — Desire to have the Center hours and program offerings align with resident needs. The Center is closed evenings. The Center is not open on weekends during the winter. Is this the best fit with people's desires for programs and access and the available staff time/budget? Partnerships — Connexus Energy, area schools, Rice Creek Watershed, Anoka County Libraries, MN DNR, MN Historical Society, Lino Lakes YMCA,Forest Lake School District, Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts (need to connect with them), Springbrook Nature Center (can we connect with them?) area cities. Grants are available from Integrated Waste Dept. for sustainable materials. Wargo Nature Center Master Plan —Jan. 23, 2014 kick off meeting summary Wargo Nature Center Master Plan - March 2015 3 Appendix: Meetings & Outreach A 5