A Walk on the Wild Side at the Wild Center
The Wild Center Plans a Treetop Walk
Hinging on state regulatory approval and fundraising efforts, the Wild Center hopes to bring a new attraction called the ‘Treetop walk’ to the public by 2015. Similar in concept to the Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped steel structure with glass floor and sides projecting 70 feet from the Grand Canyon rim in Arizona, the ‘Wild Walk’ is an elevated walkway set at the treetop level in the woods at the center.
Officially known as the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, the Wild Center filed for an application for approval of the 490-foot walkway, which is anticipated to be a three-season attraction and handicapped-accessible, from the Adirondack Park Agency.
The project according to Stephen William’s article ‘Treetop walk’ planned for Wild Center; cost to top $4M’ published in The Daily Gazette, has already received a $1 million grant from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s regional economic development initiative program.
“It’s going to be so amazing,” said Marci Bencze, a spokesperson for the center. The walkway will have hands-on activities for children of all ages to enjoy that include a swinging bridge and a roped-area akin to a spider’s web.
The ambitious project needs a good jump start and the hard work to pay off before the end result can come to fruition. The ‘Treetop walk’ will undoubtedly increase tourism in the Adirondacks. Although the target date is for 2015, the Wild Center has a long shot of another $3 to $4 million more to raise the money to cover the cost of building the fantastic structure.
The officials at the Wild Center envision the removal of non-native Scotch pine while the ‘Treetop walk’ is under construction to be replaced with plant species indigenous to the area.
Anyone that has spent any length of time living or visiting the Adirondacks knows how precious the state park is. Founded in 2006, the Wild Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people better understand the delicate ecosystem, which continues to struggle to maintain a balance from wildlife and its inhabitants being invaded by urban sprawl, deforestation and economic development. Their goal is to educate the public in finding better ways to coexist with the rest of the natural world. The Wild Center provides latest discoveries about the Adirondacks through science-based experiences, exhibits and programs.
The average visitor stays at the center which is situated on 31-acres with marked trails, roughly three hours. With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, there are a lot of things to do to keep everyone entertained and hundreds of live animals to visit from otters, porcupines, hawks to rare native trout and other residents that tend to live in hiding.
Planet Adirondack is a floating interactive earth exhibit that displays images and ideas from a totally new perspective about the Adirondacks and how the world works.
The Pines Play Area is a living exhibit located at Oxbow Overlook Trail that lets children explore the natural world freely and have fun.
Upcoming summer events include BuzzzFest, an all-day festival celebrating winged creatures such as dragonflies, honey bees and much more on July 6th.
“BuzzzFest will be a day of fun with something to entertain, delight and perhaps gross out people of all ages,” said Tracey Legat, communications manager. “BuzzzFest honors the creatures that make the world go round, from dragonflies to honey bees and all the buzzing, chirping and crawling things in between.”
FlavorFest is on August 15th, an all day food festival event that highlights the delicacies available in the North Country.
For more information about The Wild Center visit www.wildcenter.org.
–Diana Denner is a Contributor to The Free George.
The Free George is the online magazine and visitors’ guide of Upstate NY, covering things from Albany to Lake Placid, including Saratoga, the Lake George region and the Adirondacks. Check out our City Blogs section for our extended coverage areas as well.
