Pioneer Press Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:40:23 -0600
A community's nature
When Oakdale leaders decided to replace the city's aging nature center two years ago, they were determined to make it more than a place to learn about the environment. The old facility - a converted two-story home - was too small, needed excessive repairs and had little appeal as a gathering spot. On Saturday, the city will hold a grand opening for its replacement - the Oakdale Discovery Center, where a community center meets a nature center. The building is just up the hill from the old center and is considered a gateway to the surrounding 220-acre Oakdale Nature Preserve because of gravel paths that connect to trails in the park. Visitors also can wander inside the building, look at displays of wildlife in an exhibit hall or check out books from a small library. But city leaders say the Discovery Center is more than just a nature center, and its new name reflects that. "It's about how you discover yourself, discover the city and the people in it," said Bruce Anderson, Oakdale's parks and recreation director.
[[keywords: Parks;Metro;]]
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