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Joseph E. Wargo Nature Center Master Plan <br />Summary of March 27, 2014 Focus Group Meetings <br />Consulting staff from HKGi and representatives of Anoka County met with two stakeholder groups to <br />discuss Wargo Nature Center existing conditions, programs, desires and opportunities for the future. <br />The purpose of the meeting was to gather stakeholder input to inform the master plan. The first <br />stakeholder group included Wargo volunteers and other outdoor education and recreation <br />professionals. The second stakeholder group included a Wargo visitor whose children attend <br />homeschool programming at Wargo. Key elements of the discussions are summarized below. <br />SESSION 1: 3:00-4:30 <br />ATTENDEES: <br />Greg Ingraham, HKGi <br />Anna Springer, HKGi <br />Nancy Fitzgerald, Volunteer <br />Glennie Giller, Volunteer <br />Sean Gokey, Warner Nature Center <br />Alex McKinney, Outdoor Recreation Supervisor, Three Rivers Park District <br />Julie Grecian, Warner Nature Center <br />Maggie Snow, Anoka County Librarian <br />John VonDeLinde, Anoka County Parks & Recreation Director <br />Cory Hinz, Anoka County Recreation Services Manager <br />Todd Murawski, Recreation Specialist Wargo Nature Center <br />Lisa Gilliland, Interpretive Naturalist, Wargo Nature Center <br />Krista Harrington, Program Supervisor, Wargo Nature Center <br />OVERVIEW OF WARGO: <br />Wargo is the county -wide hub for outdoor recreation -all county recreation programming is housed at <br />Wargo. <br />Wargo's operating budget comes from a variety of sources <br />• about 75% from levy dollars from the County <br />• Capital projects accounted for more than $50,000 last year <br />• Legacy fund money <br />• Met Council <br />• Do need to generate some income revenue <br />• Connexus partnership -for school visits and heritage lab <br />Three Rivers has as a revenue goal of making 40% of its operating costs. They can overspend their <br />budget but they have to recover 100% of their over -budget costs. <br />The building has 2 classrooms, a small library, naturalists downstairs, a larger kitchen, a preschool room, <br />indoor storage, a garage for storage and a van, visitor center with interpretive displays, new bike trail <br />from access road. Hours are Tues -Fri 8-4:30; Sat -Sun 12-5. Gates are locked when Wargo is closed. <br />Wargo Nature Center Master Plan — March 27, 2014 Focus Group Meetings Summary Page 11 <br />Wargo Nature Center Master Plan - March 2015 <br />Appendix: Meetings & Outreach A 9 <br />