It will be located near the banks of Stony Creek and north of the current facility, says park authority spokesman David Moilanen.
Stony Creek's nature center currently is housed in an 80-year-old cottage that was converted into an educational facility when the park opened in 1964. Three years ago, age and water damage forced the park to close its second floor, which was used as a classroom, Moilanen notes.
The parks authority is seeking a $1-million grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to build the new nature center.
The state trust fund provides financial aid to local governments and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to purchase land for outdoor recreation and to protect natural resources in the state.
Construction is expected to start next year.
The parks authority also has applied for a $1.8-million grant from the state trust fund to use toward the purchase of 80 acres on 26 Mile between Broughton and Ray Center in Ray Township, to use as a possible main entrance to the sprawling Wolcott Mill Metropark. The agency plans to kick in $600,000 toward the $2.4 million price for land.
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