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Nature Center discussion progresses
- Two potential sites identified -

Crookston Daily Times
Written By: Mike Christopherson, Managing Editor

October 18, 2005 - With the identification of two potential sites for a Regional Nature/Tourism Center in Crookston, a discussion on Wednesday will focus on the next steps to take.

The public is invited to the meeting, which will take place at 7 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers.

Dan Svedarsky, head of the Natural Resources Department at UMC and one of the major proponents of the nature/tourism center initiative, said data has been collected in recent months as the feasibility of such a project has been weighed. Out of that process, two potential sites - the area adjacent to the Polk County Museum, and the former Sisters of St. Joseph Marywood facility - have emerged.

Carlos Fernandez and Mary Vogel, both of the Center for Changing Landscapes at the University of Minnesota, will host Wednesday evening's input session.

"The purpose of the meeting will be to review the programmatic elements and issues that have been identified for the Regional Nature/Tourism Center, potential partnerships and a brief discussion about the two sites," Svedarsky said in an email. "In order to effectively conduct a site analysis, the planners need to develop a clear sense of what the building and site programs should be. This will be an opportunity to review the programs as identified thus far, add any other considerations and develop a common understanding of this phase of the project for all involved stakeholders and interest groups."

No work has been done specific to either of the two candidate sites, he added.