After undergoing millions of dollars in infrastructure improvements in recent years, Letchworth State Park now has a new nature center. State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said solar panels, LED lighting and energy-efficient heating and cooling make it a model of energy efficiency.
"It's also a model for interpretation. It's a model public-private partnership," Harvey said. "We now will go forward with 12 new nature centers all throughout the state modeled after this partnership after this design."
The Humphrey Nature Center includes expanded meeting and classroom space and interactive exhibits designed to lead visitors outdoors to park trails. Harvey said the state-of-the-art facility will allow Letchworth to double its nature-based programming.
"Now that we have a place again for it to start, to end, to begin," Harvey said, "and we're going to double our classes that we do. You're going to see programming and environmental education twice a day, seven days a week here, to introduce nature to all of the kids."
The nearby SUNY Geneseo will work with the center on new educational opportunities, research and environmental restoration.