Orchard Beach Nature Center renovation plan announced
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BY PATRICK ROCCHIO
A nature center in the borough’s
largest park is one step
closer to renovation.
The Orchard Beach Nature
Center, near section two of the
beach in Pelham Bay Park, is
expected to receive a $1.5 million
renovation of its building
that is currently in the design
phase.
The center serves as a hub
for Urban Park Rangers who
arrange tours and adventure
excursions on the trails adjacent
to Orchard Beach at
Hunter Island and Twin Islands
and throughout the
park.
The trails feature scenic
views of Long Island Sound,
along with many species of
birds and coastal marine
wildlife, according to the NYC
Parks Department.
The nature center is also
a resource for park information,
according to Parks.
Community Board 10 voted
to unanimously approve the
mayoral funded project on
Monday, December 3. District
manager Matt Cruz said that
much of the money allocated
would be allocated towards
roof repair.
The Orchard Beach Nature Center, located near Section 2 of the beach,
should be seeing renovations. Tours of the park’s many natural wonders
often originate there. Schneps Community News Group / Patrick Rocchio
A plan has been set in motion to
renovate Orchard Beach’s Nature
Center.
Schneps Community News Group /
Patrick Rocchio
“I think that Pelham Bay
Park has some of the rarest
horticulture and wildlife in
the city. For someone who
may want to learn more about
it, this center is an important
facility,” said Cruz.
The project is all the more
signifi cant because historically
Pelham Bay Park has
been underfunded, said Cruz.
Combined with the initiative
to restore the Orchard
Beach Pavilion, a new nature
center would be a nice complement,
said Cruz.
“We are excited that plans
for the renovation of the Orchard
Beach Nature Center
in Pelham Bay Park are moving
forward,” said Bonnie
McGuire, Urban Park Rangers
director. “Upon its completion,
the center will be ADA
compliant and will boast a
new open, fl exible layout that
can help meet varied programming
needs.”
The design phase of the
project is expected to last until
early 2019, and it will be
followed by a procurement period
that on average lasts nine
months, according to Parks.
Debby Kawalick said that
the nature center allows
Bronxites of all ages to learn
about wildlife, including seals
and owls, that inhabit the
area.
Many people aren’t aware
that such wildlife exists in the
borough, she said.
The center itself also has a
collection of artifacts that encapsulate
the natural world
beyond its walls, said Kawalick.
“Seeing these artifacts
helps children and adults
learn about what is in the park
and puts wildlife in context for
them,” she said.
Kawalick said that she has
been inside the center during
inclement weather and has
witnessed leaks emanating
from the roof.
The Friends of Pelham Bay
Park, an advocacy group for
the park, are very excited that
progress is being made on the
nature center, said the organization’s
president Nilka Martell.
“The center opened in 1986
and was in need of an extreme
make-over,” said Martell.
She said that the center is
a great place for Urban Park
Rangers to host their family
workshops and nature walks.
Kawalick said that its programming
even includes a 12-
hour overnight camping adventure
offered by lottery in
the summer, and seal watches
from the beach.