The new
Roger Johnson Nature Center was unveiled to the public Sept. 21 after a crowded ribbon-cutting ceremony at
Osborn MetroPark.
“Once the ribbon was cut it was a free-for-all,” says Kippie Loughlin, digital media, marketing and information technology coordinator for Erie MetroParks. “People just flooded the building; it was mass hysteria. Everyone just loved the murals and animals and diorama; there’s really a lot of stuff to look at in there.”
According to Loughlin, the new facility is a massive improvement over MetroParks’ old education center, which was situated next door in an old structure that was, up until the early 70s, part of a minimum security prison farm.
“We’ve got a huge screen in here and speakers throughout so kids can see everything we’re showing them in the classrooms,” he explains. “There’s just really a lot going on in here and we’ve just gotten started.”
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Courtesy of Erie MetroParksErie MetroParks offers free programming for all ages.But the new nature center itself is often just a jumping-off point, according to Loughlin, as it is a place for independent organizations to volunteer and participate in programming.
Groups like the Pride Academy regularly volunteer at the nature center, and MetroParks hosts volunteer programs with people of all skill levels. Erie MetroParks has several programs in partnership with the Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities, such as Art in the Park, Loughlin says.
MetroParks Director Melissa Price stressed that the new facility, and the district’s programs, aren’t just for youth.
“We’ve revived our 50-plus programs just this year and they’ll have the word ‘peaceful’ in front of them,” she says. “That includes things such as hiking, yoga, arts-in-the-park and stand-up paddle boarding.”
According to Price, the new center opens up opportunities for community volunteers of all ages to help out.
“We’re looking for people to volunteer, especially on Saturdays,” she says. “We used to be open Tuesday through Friday and now we’re open Saturday, also. So we’re looking for nature center greeters who would be willing to be a friendly face, engage the public and direct them or offer brochures or trail maps – just let them know what’s in the facility.”
Price says it’s perfect for high school or college students as well as adults and retired folks.
“As a matter of fact, I have a new partnership in its infancy,” she says. “We’re going to be offering a program that EHOVE does not, vocationally speaking, for kids interested in agriculture or natural resources, those types of things. Kids that want to be exposed to animal care and nature education. Most of those places need curriculum hours in the field and this would help fill them.”
Huron resident Jennie Johnson was at Osborn MetroPark Saturday with her great grandchildren Kobe, 6, and Kylee, 3.
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Courtesy of Erie MetroParksA taxidermied fox is part of an exhibit at the Roger Johnson Nature Center. “We’ve been here lots of times and I love the new addition,” she says. “It’s really great and we will definitely be back.”
Kobe said his favorite animal at the new nature center was the live fox. But Kylee was quick to add her two cents.
“It was just a pretend fox,” she says, matter-of-factly of the taxidermist-mounted fox.
The grand opening was held in conjunction with the annual Osborn Fall Fest, Erie MetroPark’s most popular single event.
“We’ve done about everything here including the hay rides, the petting zoo and face painting,” Johnson says. “This is a great use of taxpayer money and I’m a taxpayer. It’s better than video games; we’ve been to this park a million times.”
But according to Price, about half the cost of planning and building the new nature center came from sources that do not include Erie County taxpayers.
“In 2021 our board committed $2.5 million from our general fund, but at least half the building is community donors, foundations and some state capital money,” she says. “So it’s wonderful how our community validated that ‘Yes, this is something we want.’”
Price says area school districts are already lining up field trips to the Roger Johnson Nature Center instead of traveling to Cleveland Metroparks. And the cost to visit the nature center or participate in programs? Always free.
“All of our programs are free,” Price says. “We feel it’s already supported by tax dollars so there’s never a charge.”
And that’s true of all
Erie MetroParks’ programs.
“Absolutely, everything is free for everyone,” Loughlin says. “We offer in-school programs and we have a great group of naturalists that can cover about 400 different topics. That includes meteor showers, birding, eagles and just about anything else you can think of. They really know their stuff and they should, since that’s what we do: nature education, conservation and preservation.”