A state grant will aid in the creation of a “visitors center” for the Park Ridge Park District’s Wildwood Nature Center, park district officials said.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced this month that the Park Ridge Park District is the recipient of a $750,000 State Museum Grant.
The park district is among 36 recipients from around the state to receive a combined total of more than $19.7 million in Museum Grant funding. Each applicant could receive up to $750,000 in funds.
According to the Park Ridge Park District, the museum grant will fund renovations of a house purchased at 531 Forestview Drive in 2020. The house will be turned into a visitors center for the adjacent Wildwood Nature Center, with live animal exhibits, collections and artifacts moved to this building, the park district said.
The renovation will also include the creation of a new “interactive Nature Nook playroom” for children, an accessible restroom, office space for nature center staff, asbestos abatement, HVAC upgrades and a roof replacement.
Additionally, the backyard will connect to the Nature Center’s Woodland Walk path and provide additional outdoor play space, the park district said.
Work is expected to begin in the fall.
The total renovation project is estimated at $889,000, according to the park district. The house itself was purchased by the park district for $330,000 in late 2020.
The Wildwood Nature Center features live animals, interactive exhibits and educational programs dedicated to nature and the environment.