FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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A VISITOR CENTER FOR EDGEWOOD PRESERVE? By Peter Ingram As 1999 unfolds and the new millenium approaches, an exciting new challenge for the Friends is beginning to take shape. The Edgewood Master Plan adopted in May 1997 makes passing reference to a "proposed interpretive center" to be located in the Old Stage Day Camp area. In late 1998 the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation compiled a countywide list of potential projects for future funding. One of those projects is a visitor center for Edgewood! The challenge that we face is to help create a vision and program for a new center and then advocate for it to become a priority project for funding by the Foundation and then execution within the County’s capital improvement program. The Friends of Edgewood Executive Committee has begun to informally discuss the idea of a visitor center and we are currently compiling a list of suggested elements, functions and qualities that we think such an interpretive facility ought to offer the public. Our goal is to have a well-developed draft vision statement and description of program / functions by mid-April. We will then initiate a dialogue with County staff and the Foundation and begin what will probably be a 3- to 5-year adventure to gain commitments and funding so that this exciting addition to Edgewood may become a reality. Here’s how YOU can help Send us your suggestions, ideas, wishes and fantasies of what an Edgewood visitor center could be and what it might look like. Think about what makes your experience of Edgewood unique and special – and how a center might enhance and enrich that experience. Don’t hold back or limit your creativity! If you have been to other visitor centers in preserves, parks or open spaces that you think work well, please share your experience with us. Also, any thoughts on the operation and staffing of a center that you feel are important for a successful experience would be most helpful. And finally, if you are an architect or planner and would be willing to donate some hours to help shape the vision in the early stages of the process, this could be a very rewarding experience for you and invaluable service to a great cause. Send your comments to POB 3422, Redwood City, 94064, or fax Peter Ingram, or e-mail info@friendsofedgewood.org by April 1. If you have a flash of inspiration at midnight and don’t want to write it down, call the Friends voice mail center. Thanks in advance for your contributions and support! |
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