GRAFTON — The Nature Museum in Grafton announced the latest phase of its wetland restoration project. The Chapman Meadow behind the museum building has been transformed with the construction of a pond, creation of one-of-a-kind natural playscape features, and pathways.
This milestone marks a significant breakthrough after three years of brainstorming and planning by the museum's dedicated "meadow-mittee" and staff.
"Reviving a wetland and providing space for both self-guided and staff-led education are key goals with this project," Nikolas Katrick, the museum's executive director, said in a news release. "I hope this inspires folks in our region to restore small wetlands in their backyards and neighborhoods because, all together, that can have a significant impact in slowing down flood waters and providing habitat for our wildlife neighbors."
An important part of the initiative is building a long-term meadow management plan, including strategies to manage invasive species.
Recently, students from Compass School helped with the task of identifying existing invasive species on the property, properly removing these plants, and preparing them for proper disposal. Over the past year, hundreds of native species have been planted in the meadow and the native pollinator gardens.
In addition to the conservation of the habitat around the museum, this project is part of its strategic plan to offer children more opportunities for unstructured play in natural settings with the expansion of the Magic Forest Playscape. Situated on the edge of the Chapman Meadow overlooking the new pond, this is a popular destination for visitors, featuring jumping stumps, balancing logs, a shelter-building area, and a cabin overlooking the meadow.
Natural play areas help kids develop in many ways, including in "creative, physical, social/emotional, and spiritual" domains, says Ken Finch, a museum board member and founder of Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood. New features in the Playscape include a bear den and tunnel, boulder piles, earth mounds, a sand pit, and parent seating areas.
The museum worked closely on the project with excavators Thad and Jan Guild of TMG Enterprises and Jim McClammer of Connecticut Valley Environmental Services. To learn more, visit nature-museum.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.