The City of Elkhart Parks & Recreation Department is celebrating six decades of nature, education and outdoor exploration at the Woodlawn Nature Center.
The community is invited to a 60th anniversary celebration 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 1, at 604 Woodlawn Avenue in Elkhart.
The event will feature family activities, guided hikes and local food trucks. A ceremony will take place at noon, recognizing the nature center’s legacy and impact on generations of Elkhart residents.
In 1964, the Woodlawn Nature Council, a nonprofit started by Dorothy Greenleaf Boyton, was founded to develop and manage a nature park on ten acres of forest land. A year later, the council dedicated the Woodlawn Nature Center building and donated both the land and the facility to the City of Elkhart.
“Woodlawn Nature Center has always been a place where families and visitors can experience the wonder of the natural world right here in the heart of Elkhart,” Mayor Rod Roberson said in a press release. “Its history reflects our city’s deep commitment to education, community and environmental stewardship.”
For 60 years the nature center has served as an urban wildlife refuge while providing programming and events for the community.
“We’re proud to be working more closely with the Woodlawn Nature Council to enhance this asset for residents to enjoy in years to come,” Jamison Czarnecki, City of Elkhart Parks & Recreation superintendent, said. “We hope you’ll join us in seeing some of the changes we’ve made to the site and share your opinions with what you’d like to see for the site in the future.”
The event is free and open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to explore the trails, visit with staff and learn more about the programs and opportunities available at Woodlawn Nature Center year-round.
