Wildwood Park (Pennsylvania)
Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center
The 4,000 square foot Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center, opened in 1999, features exhibits about the natural history of the park and the Susquehanna Valley area. Environmental education programs are offered for school groups. The center won multiple awards for the design of its programming.
History
In 1901, the City of Harrisburg established Wildwood Park on an area known as "Wetzel's Swamp" as a part of the City Beautiful movement, a nationwide reform effort conceived by social reformers to build civic loyalty and a sense of community among urban dwellers. The lake was formed in 1908 by damming Paxton Creek, which then allowed paths to be laid around it and other facilities established, such as a baseball field, a zoo, riding stables, and boating operations. In 1964, the city deeded 157 acres of the park to Harrisburg Area Community College for the construction of a campus and academic buildings. In 1976, the Dauphin County Commissioners and Harrisburg City Council agreed to the Wildwood Park transfer agreement, and the park was acquired by the county for $1. The Friends of Wildwood Park non-profit was organized in 1987 to support and promote enhancements of the park.
References
- ^ "About Us". Wildwood Lake. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
- ^ Meshaka, Walter; Teffeteller, Rubie; Wingert, Euguene (December 2021). "Colonization patterns of three artificial ponds by a Pennsylvania herpetofaunal community" (PDF). Collinsorum. 10 (2): 5–6.
- ^ "Benjamin Olewin Nature Center". Steve Feldman Design LLC. Retrieved 2023-07-31.
- ^ History of Wildwood Park Friends of Wildwood Lake Nature Center, Retrieved January 15, 2011.
- ^ "City of Harrisburg Comprehensive Plan 2020" (PDF). City of Harrisburg. p. 120. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
External links
- Wildwood Park (Official site)
- Dauphin County government: Wildwood Park profile