construction

2011 Highlights: New Prairie Shelter House

by

This summer the Prairie staff had a front row seat to a very exciting event.  We were able to watch with anticipation as the new prairie shelter house was constructed.  Each day while we weeded, collected seeds or mowed the grass we were able to see tiny changes and bits of progress made on the shelter.

The nearly complete shelter was dedicated on September 23rd, 2011.  The days before and the morning of were filled with final preparation of the luncheon, displays and the site.  Unfortunately, those days were also filled with lots and lots of rain.  So much precipitation, in fact, that the newly seeded lawn had been turned into an impassable mud pit.  Thanks to the ingenuity of the campus Maintenance department we were able to enter the shelter house safely on a carpet covered plywood ramp.  I liked to think that the campus rolled out the (scarlet) carpet for all the luncheon attendees.

The entire campus is proud to have the new Trella Romine Shelter House complete and we invite you to visit the shelter house anytime! Learn more about Trella.

Enjoy these pictures of the construction from start to finish, including the dedication to Trella on that oh so rainy day in September.

[slideshow]

[polldaddy poll=5800170]

We’re getting a new dock!

by

The dock by the prairie pond has been enjoyed by many a child.  Often times kids like to sit or lay at the end of the dock to get a better view of the frogs, fish and turtles living in the pond.  But as the years have passed, the dock has become less stable and I’ve become less comfortable seeing youngsters on the dock. 

Well, its been decided, the old dock is out and a newer larger dock is going to be arriving soon.  Here are some pictures of the old dock.  I apologize for the poor quality- I forgot my camera! 

I’ll keep adding pictures as the construction begins!  I hope the new dock is finished by the end of this week!  So exciting!

We’re open for business!

by

The construction that had been blocking the entrance to the Prairie has been completed.  If you’re planning a visit, you’ll be pleased to find easy access to the Prairie driveway and parking lot has been restored.  Come on out and enjoy the late summer colors of the Prairie Nature Center!

Restricted access to the Prairie

by

Repairs are currently being made to several of the parking lots adjacent to the Prairie driveway.  Due to the construction much of the area is blocked off by cones.  The cones are set up just past the entrance to Student Lot 1.  During this time, visitors may park in Student Lot 1 and walk back to the prairie, but access to the prairie via vehicle is unlikely while construction is underway.  We hope the project wraps up quickly so normal visitation access can be restored.  Thanks for you understanding and patience with this situation. 

Marion Campus Map.  Please click the map for a larger view. 

osum_map copy