Expansion Plans
To protect and enhance Asbury Woods, a master plan was developed in 1999. The Asbury Woods Master Plan is a thoughtful and comprehensive effort
designed to better serve the educational and recreational needs of the community and region. PROGRESS UPDATE
The Nature Center
Asbury Woods Nature Center hosts more than 64,000 visitors each year, including several thousand school students. Work to restore and
modernize Asbury Woods' 70-year-old interpretive cottage is scheduled to begin in 2004.
A 6,000-square-foot addition will include two classrooms, a laboratory, display areas, a gift shop and handicap accessible restrooms. This
expansion, along with the improvements planned for the Brown's Farm Barn, will double capacity for environmental education. Greenway Trail As the primary pathway through Asbury Woods, the 4.5 mile
Greenway Trail system is heavily used, but fragmented. In May 2003, the construction of a pedestrian bridge across Walnut Creek will
provide the final link in a continuous Greenway Trail. Later, boardwalk sections will be built over several wetlands areas to allow visitors to
more fully enjoy the natural environment as well as to prevent forest damage and erosion caused by off-trail use. Brown's Farm Barn
To realize the full potential of this historic structure, Brown's Farm
Barn was renovated to provide a heated classroom, and assembly area and restrooms. By summer 2002, the barn will be renovated to provide
a heated classroom, an assembly area and restrooms. Plans also include a bus drop-off area and a 30-car parking lot, which will use an environmentally sound porous paving technique.These improvements to Brown's Farm will result in new educational programs focused on watersheds, agriculture, history and land use.
The renovations also will enhance access to the Greenway Trail and Walnut Creek for hiking, jogging, biking and fishing. Asbury Community Park
It has been over a decade since major improvements were made to the much-utilized facilities at Asbury Community Park. In fall 2002,
renovations to the tennis courts were completed. In addition, modern restrooms and new trail signs were installed.
Eventually the park's entrance will be re-oriented to coincide with a similar entrance change planned for the Nature Center. CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
To implement its comprehensive Master Plan, Asbury Woods is in the midst of a $3.7 million capital campaign. With community support affirmed in a recent feasibility study, the Erie Conference on
Community Development has endorsed and approved the fund-raising plan. The Asbury Woods Capital Campaign provides for one of the most
significant environmental preservations and improvement projects in the history of the region. A volunteer campaign cabinet is leading the
fund-raising effort. Cabinet members include Betty Crandell, Robert Frenzel, Garth and Peggy Hetz, Susan Kemenyffy, Scott Kern and Keith McGarvey. For more information about the Asbury Woods Capital Campaign or to learn how you can contribute, contact Asbury Woods at (814) 835-5356 or at info@asburywoods.org. |
