Open Lodge & Grounds Accessibility Project: Opening New Doors to Nature

A New Outdoor Gathering Space for All

When the Harris Center building was renovated in 2002 to better serve its use as an environmental education center, the beautiful Babbitt Room was created to host talks, gatherings, and other events. Since then, more and more people have found their way to the Harris Center. Now, the Babbitt Room is too small for our most popular events. In the wake of a global pandemic that underscored the importance of airflow and crowding, it’s become clear that a large, open-air structure — with accompanying upgrades to improve the accessibility of our grounds — is essential. With your help, our new “Open Lodge” will provide space for events both large and small, surrounded by fresh air and intimately connected to the natural world.

The Open Lodge will be built in what is currently the lower parking lot near the pollinator garden and stone patio, with adjacent accessible parking and new outdoor bathrooms. It will accommodate 250 people in roughly 3,000 square feet of space, which can be configured for a wide range of programs and events, including lectures, summer camps, musical and theatrical performances, weddings, memorial services, and other gatherings. The project will also include thoughtfully designed hardscaping and native landscaping, creating a gathering space that is beautiful, restorative, fun, and accessible, while also butterfly-, bee-, and bird-friendly. Stay tuned for our groundbreaking in the fall of 2024!

A rendering of the Open Lodge and revitalized grounds, as viewed from the Harris Center building.