17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., with several fun activities for the entire
family. A vine cutting by dignitaries will kick off the day, which
features hikes, hayrides, live animals – including birds of prey from
the Carolina Raptor Center -- as well as live music, and stories and
poetry by Keith "Little Bear" Brown.
The McDowell Nature Center, 15222 York Road, opened July 27, 1985, and
is located in the southwestern part of Mecklenburg County near Lake
Wylie on land that was once used as a Boy Scout Camp. It is the oldest
of Park and Recreation's three nature centers and the only one built
by the County. The center serves as the gateway to the 1,115-acre
preserve and is the sourcefor educational programs and information on
the preserve's natural communities.
"The nature center is a way to get people aware of what's out in
theenvironment," said Mike Giles, assistant park manager of McDowell
Nature Preserve. "Then they can go out in the nature preserve and
experience it."
Mecklenburg County now has two additional nature centers, Reedy Creek
and Latta Plantation for learning, and over 6,800 acres of natural
areas to explore.
This activity supports Mecklenburg County's strategic goal to improve/
expand parks, open spaces, greenways and recreational activities.
