Monday, November 16, 2009: ANOTHER GREEN PARK PLACE

by Angela Hampton

I’ve had some great feedback on my last blog about Garner’s environmentally friendly “White Deer Park”. I was also reminded of another “green place” in Wake County. It’s the Walnut Creek Urban Wetland Educational Park, just south of downtown Raleigh.

The newest addition is the Environmental Education Center. It’s 7,000 square feet and includes classrooms, a library, a bookshop, a conference room, a laboratory and more. Like the structures at White Deer Park, the Walnut Creek Education Center is made with recycled materials and has a bio-retention system to filter storm water runoff before it returns to Walnut Creek. Raleigh architect, Frank Harmon, FAIA, of Frank Harmon Architect PA, says he designed the center to embrace the park’s mission, which is to conserve a natural wetland. So, the center is poised six feet above the wetlands flood plain, to protect it as much as possible. Plenty of windows provide natural light and ventilation. There’s also a huge back porch that bridges the gap between indoors and out.

The entire park is about 50 acres and will no doubt provide a beautiful respite and learning experience for people in Raleigh, while preserving the wetlands and a home for wildlife. I think we’re lucky to have these green spaces. Enjoy!