Adventure Awaits at the Rhoneymeade Children’s Nature Area
by Beth Dougherty
Rhoneymeade Children’s Nature Area
“Every Child needs a parent, grandparent, caregiver, or friend who will say – it’s time for an adventure” Penny Whitehouse
Once again, this year, The Children’s Nature Area at Rhoneymeade offers opportunities for a world of endless adventures. the garden plots, planting station, digging area, weigh and measure station, learning resource station, and bug house are all getting their Spring clean-up in anticipation of this year’s visitors.
New and exciting projects on the horizon and under development:
Home Depot Grant – Last Fall, The Children’s Nature Area received a generous grant from the local Home Depot store – Patton Township. With funding received from the grant, supplies were purchased to construct benches, a sundial/compass, and the foundation for a Weather Station. In October, six Home Depot employees from the Patton Township store, volunteered their time to spend the day on the Rhoneymeade grounds and constructed three benches, the sundial/compass and the foundation of the Weather Station. Enormous gratitude is extended to the following Home Depot employees for their help in obtaining the grant as well as assisting on the workday: Chas Bisbee – Home Depot Store Manager; Jennifer Baker – Home Depot Assistant Store Manager and person most instrumental in assisting to secure the grant and requit store volunteers; Kyle Pepperman – Home Depot Community Coordinator Manager; Dave, Bobby, and Joyce – Home Depot employees. Also, special thank you to James Lesher, Rhoneymeade Executive Director; Frank Dougherty and Daniel Dougherty who also assisted with the project’s construction.
Weather Station Update – Thank you to the Penn State Department of Meteorology who will be helping to further develop the Weather Station.
“Salad Bar” - This year an addition to the garden will be a raised bed in which leafy greens will be planted, to not only add to the garden selection but also to educate on the concept of growing “cold crops”.
Discovery Table – Often something exciting and interesting is found that deserves to be shared. The goal is to construct a table where explorers can leave their discoveries for others to examine. Special thanks to the Nittany Mineralogy Club who will be putting together a selection of Pennsylvania rocks and minerals as a permanent hands-on resource for this station.
Upgrades and Enhancements:
Last year was our “inaugural year”, this year it’s time to examine the area to see what works and what can be improved:
Work is continuing on Landscaping our Cozy Corner as well as adding enhancement landscaping throughout the area.
Garden and Planting Area – Special thanks to the State College Area High School 4H club who will be adding gardening information to our garden and planting stations.
Weigh and Measure Station – The weigh component of this station is in place. This year the measure component will be added.
Various other “tweaks” will be worked on, as we strive to continue providing an area for hands on outdoor fun.
Help and Assistance:
The Children’s Nature Area has “taken root and grown” due to the help and generosity of volunteers and donations.
If you would like to help with this worthwhile project assistance is needed in the following areas:
Woodworkers or other DIYers/Makers.
Gardners – to help with planting, weeding, watering and/or to donate plants that are native to Pennsylvania
Donations of plastic 3” or 4” pots for the planting station
Anyone who has contacts/resources on any of the subject matters relating to the Children’s Nature Area stations or Nature/Environmental subjects.
Feel free to reach out to:
Beth Dougherty, Children’s Nature Area Coordinator at bethdoc@comcast.net
Thank you for your interest and support!