The Cleveland Metroparks recently announced plans to transform the barge they purchased in June into a nature center and space for STEM education and workforce development.
In September, the park system moved the barge, which dates back to 1892, from its dock near Burke Lakefront Airport to Wildwood Park on the East Side of the city, close to Euclid Beach. But at that time, Metroparks did not disclose its renovation plans.
In a recent press release, the park system announced it will use a $750,000 grant from KeyBank to convert the nearly 8,800-square-foot vessel into its sixth year-round nature center. (The grant will also support the continuation of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Youth Advisory Board's work).
The new nature center will prioritize STEM-based educational programs and will feature interactive exhibits, a wet lab, classrooms, and community spaces, according to Metroparks. A contribution of $250,000 from the Jones Day Foundation also funds the project.
"This KeyBank investment will provide an unprecedented opportunity to introduce youth to Lake Erie and the natural world through outdoor education," said Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman in a statement.
For the barge, which was once home to the Hornblowers restaurant and LeanDog software development company, Metroparks paid $1.3 million. The park spent thousands of dollars to ferry it along the lakefront to its new location.
Additionally, the park board recently approved adding $100,000 to the initial contract of $167,000 to dock the barge at Wildwood. These funds will cover only partial installation during the winter, according to the recent board meeting agenda, which also states that the park system will request additional funds from the board to complete the installation.
Metroparks has not yet announced the opening date of the barge.
