Hawk’s Nest coming to Harris Nature Center; Log Jam opens

Harris Nature Center Foundation launched the fundraising campaign for the next addition to the Harris Nature Center’s Nature Exploration Area and officially donated the new Log Jam play feature to Meridian Township at an event Wednesday, Dec. 11.

The campaign goal is to raise $180,000 by Sept. 30, 2025, for a new Hawk’s Nest feature. The unique molded structure will replace the Beaver Lodge feature, which was opened in 2018 and removed in 2023 due its natural structure disintegrating over time.

At the event, the Kiwanis Club of Haslett-Okemos donated $5,000 to the project. With other early donations and pledges, the total commitment is $39,000, or 20% of the goal. Donate here, or contact Harris Nature Center for more information at 517.349.3866.

“We're excited to continue upgrading the Nature Exploration Area with more permanent structures,” said Alexa Warwick, Harris Nature Center Foundation president. “It is because of the generous support from individuals and organizations in our community that we can enhance Harris Nature Center facilities and programs. Providing these resources connects people with the wonder of the natural world, which in turn supports incredible physical and mental benefits for all ages.”

Harris Nature Center Coordinator Kati Adams explained, “The Hawk’s Nest design is like no other playground feature out there. It will be unique to Harris Nature Center. We took inspiration from the Beaver Lodge structure because it was so well loved by our community.”

The new play feature will allow children to climb up six feet and see their surroundings from a six-foot diameter platform shaped like a bird’s nest. They will see the world from a different view. It is named for the red-tailed hawk housed at center.

In addition to the $5,000 donation for the Hawk’s Nest, Kiwanis Club of Haslett-Okemos also provided $20,000 of the $45,074 cost for the new Log Jam, with the foundation paying for the remainder.

Vic Samuelson, Kiwanis Club secretary, said, "Harris Nature Center is a jewel in Meridian Township. The Haslett-Okemos Kiwanis Club helps fund many of the center's exhibits and projects that encourage children to explore nature. They align with our club's priority to support youth. And thanks to the many subscribers of Flags Over Meridian, our major fundraiser. Your support is crucial to our mission."

The Log Jam fosters development of gross motor skills — i.e. walking, crawling and balancing. It also encourages imagination for kids of all ages, mimicking what they would do if they came upon a log or stump in the woods. It features log balance beams, stumps, oversized mushrooms and a log crawl-through tunnel.

The new Log Jam also replaces an original play feature installed in 2015 that was made of natural materials that had deteriorated.

Michigan-based Sinclair Recreation and partner GameTime provided and installed the new Log Jam.

Other special projects funded by Harris Nature Center Foundation in 2024 include:

• A concrete bed for the popular hands-on Fossil Dig educational exhibit. Larger fossils were embedded in the concrete; other real and replica Michigan fossils were rehidden in sand that topped the concrete bed.
• A weather-themed interactive play panel — a hands-on activity that teaches kids about weather and days of the week in nature’s classroom.
• School bus scholarships that helped 597 students from 27 schools participate in HNC educational programs.

Harris Nature Center Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2006 to provide a source of funding for special projects that enhance the quality of nature appreciation and education at Harris Nature Center, a 48-acre park operated by Meridian Township. More information is at http://hncfoundation.weebly.com. For questions, contact Harris Nature Center at 517.349.3866 or hnc@meridian.mi.us.

Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Rd., Okemos, comprises 48 acres of the Meridian Riverfront Park. Harris Nature Center offers environmental activities and outdoor recreation opportunities that focus on protecting, promoting and interpreting the Red Cedar River and its surrounding ecosystems.

Park amenities include a half-mile of paved trail, several miles of natural trails, the River Overlook Deck, Nature Exploration Area, and the accessible Bird Observation Deck with three commercial binocular stands. The Nature Building provides interpretive exhibits, nature murals by local artists, and displays of live, native Michigan wildlife. A pavilion is available for event rental. Meridian Township staff offers educational programs for visitors of all ages.

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