2017-11-01 P & R Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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4 The Wargo Nature Center, located in Anoka County's Rice The Nature Center currently serves as the hub for Anoka Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve,is devoted to increasing County Parks environmental education and outdoor the awareness and appreciation of natural and cultural recreation programming,as well as off-site environmental resources for all, regardless of age, ability, or background. outreach. The 10,000 square foot building houses office The nature center sits on a peninsula surrounded by George space for outdoor education and recreation staff and Watch Lake. The Heritage Lab, located on Peltier Lake, is provides storage for a variety of county-wide programs. used for Anoka County's programs and the YMCA's Camp In 2013 Anoka County served 47,000 people though its Heritage program. organized programs,events,and drop in visitors The development of the nature center fulfilled the dream of Joseph E. Wargo, a long-time Anoka County resident and District Judge- David Torkildson, Anoka County's first The.-ft-go.-"re Cmier Is OWkAed Parks Director,was also a long-time advocate for the nature center and played a key role in building the facility to * ` ' e # educate Anoka County residents about the natural world. • ' " ' ' * of'the naWralF Given the variety of natural habitats and the wonderful r k wd their res&'ces'. water resources available, the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes ologer regow0le-SftardAlp area was high on their list of ideal locations.Joseph Wargo died in 1987,but thanks to his wife, Edith-who shared his dream-his estate provided funding for the construction of ages, ` ' `` ' ` ' ` * '" ` .' the Wargo Nature Center.This fund,combined with grants eW.T<mmenW ad recreahwW programs from the Metropolitan Council,resulted in the construction and a6m. of the nature center in honor of Joseph Wargo in 1993. Wargo Nature Center Master Plan- March 2015