09-06-2005, 04:31 AM
The final touches on the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority's (HCMA) world-class environmental education center at the Indian Springs Metropark could be completed soon, according to an HCMA official.
While the rest of the James Clarkson Environmental Discovery Center opened in April, after an earlier goal of opening in December, a viewing room under the center's 1.7-acre pond experienced some seepage when the pond was filled, and that part of the project was put on hold.
According to Indian Springs Metropark Superintendent Kimberly Jarvis, the underwater viewing space may be ready shortly.
"The contractors have been working on it," she said. "We hope to fill (the pond) in the next 30 days."
The underwater pond viewing room is capped by an 18,800-pound acrylic dome, measuring 20 feet in diameter and nearly 9-feet-tall. It's connected to the environmental education center building by a 20-foot tunnel.
When the pond viewing room is complete, visitors will be able to access it throughout the year and observe warm-water game fish and reptiles, including the endangered Blanding's turtle and the more common painted turtle, in a natural kettle pond ecosystem.
Indian Springs in located in White Lake and Springfield townships.
HCMA Spokesperson Denise Mogos said the seepage problems were not because of any cracks in the dome, which sits on a 2-foot high concrete wall inside the pond.
"All problems with the pond have had to deal with waterproofing," she said. "The problems were with the (waterproof seal) between the dome and the concrete, and with the liner."
She said the pond was originally scooped out around the dome, and a liner was put down over 18 inches of clay. Sand and gravel were then placed over the liner.
The rest of the nearly 90-acre center showcases Michigan's natural ecosystems and includes a 20,000-square-foot building featuring a 200-seat conference area, classrooms, a biology lab, and an exhibit area.
About 20,000 plants, including bulrush, eelgrass, waterweed and chara will be placed in and around the pond. An additional 3,000 plants, including blue flag iris and arrowhead, will be placed in the pond located to the east of the building.
Mogos said another part of the Discovery Center facility will open next spring — an adventure play area that will include a climbing area, a toddler sand pit area, a chain-link maze, and a spray area.
The entire center, which will cost about $12 million, was funded entirely by the HCMA from funds set aside during the past 15 years.
The HCMA funds its metroparks through a property tax of 0.2161 mills levied within a five-county area, which accounts for about 53 percent of the HCMA's annual revenue. In addition, the HCMA receives other revenues, such as golf course greens fees and boat rentals, and through other sources.
The cost to access Indian Springs is $4 for a daily pass.
Jarvis said people have been visiting the metropark's Clarkson Environmental Discovery Center since it opened in the spring, but that the underwater viewing room should be another interesting attraction.
"I think the Environmental Discovery Center is a great learning tool and I think once the pond opens up, it will bring more people to Indian Springs," she said.
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While the rest of the James Clarkson Environmental Discovery Center opened in April, after an earlier goal of opening in December, a viewing room under the center's 1.7-acre pond experienced some seepage when the pond was filled, and that part of the project was put on hold.
According to Indian Springs Metropark Superintendent Kimberly Jarvis, the underwater viewing space may be ready shortly.
"The contractors have been working on it," she said. "We hope to fill (the pond) in the next 30 days."
The underwater pond viewing room is capped by an 18,800-pound acrylic dome, measuring 20 feet in diameter and nearly 9-feet-tall. It's connected to the environmental education center building by a 20-foot tunnel.
When the pond viewing room is complete, visitors will be able to access it throughout the year and observe warm-water game fish and reptiles, including the endangered Blanding's turtle and the more common painted turtle, in a natural kettle pond ecosystem.
Indian Springs in located in White Lake and Springfield townships.
HCMA Spokesperson Denise Mogos said the seepage problems were not because of any cracks in the dome, which sits on a 2-foot high concrete wall inside the pond.
"All problems with the pond have had to deal with waterproofing," she said. "The problems were with the (waterproof seal) between the dome and the concrete, and with the liner."
She said the pond was originally scooped out around the dome, and a liner was put down over 18 inches of clay. Sand and gravel were then placed over the liner.
The rest of the nearly 90-acre center showcases Michigan's natural ecosystems and includes a 20,000-square-foot building featuring a 200-seat conference area, classrooms, a biology lab, and an exhibit area.
About 20,000 plants, including bulrush, eelgrass, waterweed and chara will be placed in and around the pond. An additional 3,000 plants, including blue flag iris and arrowhead, will be placed in the pond located to the east of the building.
Mogos said another part of the Discovery Center facility will open next spring — an adventure play area that will include a climbing area, a toddler sand pit area, a chain-link maze, and a spray area.
The entire center, which will cost about $12 million, was funded entirely by the HCMA from funds set aside during the past 15 years.
The HCMA funds its metroparks through a property tax of 0.2161 mills levied within a five-county area, which accounts for about 53 percent of the HCMA's annual revenue. In addition, the HCMA receives other revenues, such as golf course greens fees and boat rentals, and through other sources.
The cost to access Indian Springs is $4 for a daily pass.
Jarvis said people have been visiting the metropark's Clarkson Environmental Discovery Center since it opened in the spring, but that the underwater viewing room should be another interesting attraction.
"I think the Environmental Discovery Center is a great learning tool and I think once the pond opens up, it will bring more people to Indian Springs," she said.
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