Nature Center draws visitors in spite of winter weather

LINDSEY – About 800 people have visited the county's new Nature Center at Creek Bend Farm since it opened in November 2014, and Sandusky County Park District expects those numbers to rise significantly as the weather warms up and snow melts along the center's walking trails.

Debbie Nofzinger, the park district's program coordinator, said Thursday the response from county residents had been strong in spite of cold, snowy winter weather.

Nofzinger said 70 people attended the center's Winter Fest in January, with the Lindsey site attracting visitors all winter with an interest in cross country skiing and other seasonal activities.

"So the snow worked for somebody," Nofzinger joked.

The nature center sits on about 310 acres. Since the park district's initial discussions about the project, the park center has established trails and restored nearly 90 acres of habitat on the nature center site.

There is an educational classroom at the new center with seating for 30 people and a 72-inch smart TV. Students can walk out of the center to nearby Muddy Creek and explore the animal and plant life of the waterway and shoreline on tours.

Nofzinger said the center had hosted a number of student and nonprofit groups since its opening. There is a Puddle Jumpers class coming up March 12 at the center for children 6 and younger, and Nofzinger said there were events planned for later in March for Boy Scouts and Brownies.

She said the center is working on finishing its summer programs, with plans for an expanded nature day camp July 14 to 17 for children ages 6 through 12. The center wants to start registration for the camp — which will include scrap-booking, planting, playing in the creek and meeting up with some of the center's animals — in the next month.

Nofzinger said visitors to the center like the hands-on exhibits involving the native-to-Ohio animals, such as box turtles and snakes, and the fish tank.

"When the kids come in, they get to feed the fish," she said.

The program coordinator said visitors to the center also can see bald eagles in their nesting season at this time of the year.

The Lindsey property, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was the home of Fran and Bob Roush, former Sandusky County commissioner.

dacarson@gannett.com

419-334-1046

Twitter: @DanielCarson7