The City of Dunwoody and Dunwoody Nature Center broke ground on the new Wildcat Creek Learning Lab during a ceremony on Wednesday, July 16.
City council members joined DNC leadership to celebrate the construction of a two-story, 2,500-square-foot building that will include three flexible classroom spaces, dedicated office space, three bathrooms, and a second-story outdoor deck.
“Wildcat Creek Learning Lab will be transformative, allowing us to serve more program participants and park visitors throughout the year,” said Dunwoody Nature Center Executive Director Nancy Longacre. “Our current facilities are no longer sufficient to meet the growing demand for outdoor nature camps, field trips and community programs.”
Related:
• Dunwoody Nature Center to get new boardwalk, wetland improvements
The $2.5 million project is funded through a combination of private donations and public support, including a $1 million investment from Dunwoody, according to a City of Dunwoody release.
DNC Board Chair Joannie Dwoskin, during remarks before the groundbreaking, said the learning lab is a bold move into the future, and added she was “blown away by the support and passion the community” had in raising money for the building.
The first phase will focus on critical watershed infrastructure – installing stormwater systems, trench drains, curbing, and pedestrian pathways for a new plaza that will connect the Learning Lab with the Main Building, according to the release.
Construction is expected to take six months.
