Just a few days ago now, well two and one-half years, a fantastic hollow log was delivered to a nature playground to be a chute, a boat, a rocking cradle, and many other things for imaginative children. How long would it last?
When I stopped by Friday I was stunned that some of the log remained with evidence of children using it for a treasure hiding spot. The decomposition of the log has sculpted new shapes and revealed surprise patterns in the wood.
How long is five-minutes of public-speaking? Much shorter in the giving of the talk than in the agonizing ahead of time! My talk was about the hollow log and other aspects of our Nature Explore Classroom (aka nature playground), and about our future extension of a water walk to the site. Five minutes was way too short! I was yanked from the podium and the slide clicker pried from my hand.
How long does it take for that water walk to become a reality? I worked on the committee researching the project to use a Keep America Beautiful grant for about six months before I left for my current job. I still feel a deep investment in the project which will be used as a site for clean waterway and litter prevention education.
Driving home on a scorching Friday afternoon we suddenly had dramatic lightning, and rain. Just as suddenly it was gone, and the late afternoon sun was shining prisms through the moisture and cooler air. The sight was so hippie-dippy I took a detour to check on the water walk construction now finally nearing completion. And it looks terrific!
Why has the project taken so long? The original completion date was supposed to be December 2015. The legal and purchasing wheels of a municipal project grind slowly. Contracts, bids, flood plain and storm water sign-offs, approved vendors and contractors, project management vocabulary (argh), encumbered funds all make one want to hide in a magical hollow log! Removal of invasive species and habitat restoration took time, as did relocation of other educational projects. I'm really pleased to find so much of our original concept in the finished water walk. I look forward to installation of sculpture and signage soon.
We wanted a gathering spot by the creek under a tree, and obtained leftover stone for seating from another city project. I'm not sure if the stones in the photo are from the donated rock.
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| The shaded gathering point Friday. |
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| Big pile of rocks near future seating circle autumn 2015. |
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| Rock seating will be under nearest tree in photo taken fall 2015. |
We wanted easy access to the creek level at a specific point for sstudent water testing experiences. These very shallow steps will provide that:
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| Special photo effects by Mother Nature! |
A long view site for teaching about storm water outflows and litter prevention.
An attractive third class area for discussion of riparian habitats and the food web
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| Awesome spot for watching herons , turtles, and dragonflies. |
And, yes, It's A Beautiful Day.
© 2013-2017 Nancy L. Ruder
1 comment:
Where is this located?
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