The ODC has been buzzing with activity lately, and this time we’re not talking about insects! Several improvement projects were put in motion this Summer, finishing just in time for the new School Year! We are so thankful to have such a generous community working hard to help us make sure we are putting our best foot forward.
The work began with some much needed arboreal cleanup on Maple Lane where we host part of our popular Maple Sugar Tours. New York Tree Masters cut down the dead and dying trees, ground the stumps, and then donated and delivered woodchips and logs for other projects. On that same wonderful note, the amazing crew at Beckley Trees, in addition to helping with some emergency tree work, also kindly donated wood chips and logs for our many projects!
Speaking of wood, the decks located behind the Stillman Barn were both in dire need of repair. Smith Painting and Contracting completely replaced the deck above the Dino Pit and re-secured the two story deck behind the Learning Center Classroom/Admin Offices. They also painted the back exterior barn wall and replaced its broken window. It addition to all of that, HHNM Trustee Dave Work, his son Braden, Erik Denega, and Dean DeGennaro did and amazing job in constructing and rehanging the gorgeous rebuilt barn doors, the results of which are truly stunning.
The next time you visit Grasshopper Grove (maybe this weekend !?) you will be greeted by a lovely sight --with hard work from Foley Landscaping, the entirety of the fencing and interior areas of GG have been weeded, leaving behind only native plants! In addition, the roof of the Stillman Pavilion was repaired, along with the beloved Grasshopper Grove gate by Gabe Carella. In addition, Simon Gruber replaced the foot bridges, and circular bench. Outside of the Grove, he also helped re-do the Mud Kitchen behind the Farmhouse, painted the Learning Center back wall, and repaired the propane tank fencing.
Staff members worked hard to clean out old and unusable items from the barn that had long taken up valuable space. County Waste donated a roll off dumpster, and then provided a second roll off dumpster for the construction debris from our other improvements at a very discounted rate.
The projects were certainly bolstered with help from staff members including Director of Operations Robert Lipkin, and his wonderful crew made up of Al Perotti and Mike Heubach. The work was completed during normal nature museum operations, and there was no interruption to our programs and exhibitions during the course of renovation. We hope you can come check out all of the wonderful improvement projects around HHNM for yourself soon!
-By Joanna Marvel with information provided by Robert Lipkin