By: Follow South Jersey Staff
CLAYTON, N.J. — As the leaves fade from green to yellow, crimson, and brown then drizzling to the grown, the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners invites residents to explore Gloucester County’s environment at the renovated Nature Center at Scotland Run Park in Clayton.
Scotland Run Park’s Nature Center was revamped in 2019 from an artifact/museum focused center with taxidermy animals into a location that now houses live animals including snakes, frogs, turtles, salamanders, and aquatic specimens that would be found at Scotland Run Park and various parts of Gloucester County. Only indigenous animals to Gloucester County will be featured at the Nature Center.
“We have something really special and we want our residents to know about it,” Commissioner Director Robert M. Damminger said. “The Nature Center explores our native environment and allows residents to learn more about the species that call Gloucester County home.”
Gloucester County’s Scotland Run Park, is the largest of the county parks, spanning over 1,200 acres. Eighty-acre Wilson Lake offers passive recreation opportunities including fishing, boating, and nature observation. There is also a handicapped accessible fishing pier in the boat launch area. The nature center offers a variety of environmental education programs for all ages. Walking trails are located behind the nature center and also on the lake-side of the park. The playground and picnic areas are across the street from the nature center.
“Gloucester County’s Nature Center through the partnership with Rowan University has grown exponentially since the 2019 renovation. We have added new programs, events and are seeing a real interest in nature exploration from our residents. You’re never too old or too young to learn more about our environment,” Commissioner Jim Lavender, liaison to the Department of Parks and Recreation, said.
The Department of Parks and Recreation and the Nature Center offers programs year-round like Fall Paddles, Guided Trail Walks, Bi-Monthly Bird Walks, Nature Tots and Moth Night.
The Nature Center at Scotland Run Park is located at 980 E. Academy St. Clayton, N.J. The center is open Thursday and Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For more information, please visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov or call (856) 881-0845.
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