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Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Posted by Richard on May 29, 2006
This past Saturday I had an opportunity to visit the new Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) located at the entrance of Presque’ Isle state park. I was impressed with how sophisticated it was in featuring environmentally friendly building components, including “raising” the building a foot or two off the ground to improve air circulation. Also, the Center’s size is impressive and the various displays inside are done well.
The landscaping isn’t your ordinary pretty flower here, token small bush/tree there. At first it looks like the grounds are weed infested until you take a closer look and then you realize the idea behind it. The grounds surrounding the TREC along with the parking lot are littered with plant life native to Presque’ Isle and Erie in general. It’s definitely not the sterile landscaping look we’re used to.
The nature displays inside are geared for younger children but adults won’t mind playing around with them as well. Most of the displays have some kind of interactive aspect to them so the kids are guaranteed to get involved and explore (there were countless times when I just looked at a display and scratched my head until some five year old child came up and figured it out). Very fun. Oh, and I’m sure kids will learn something too.
Although the welcome desk was well staffed, I was surprised to find that they weren’t engaging people on the floor. I was even more surprised to find out that the observation deck was closed. Although you can take the stairs or the elevator to the top, you were greeted with a locked door. More than one person mumbled out loud asking themselves why they couldn’t go out. I even joked with one person saying, “why would it be open, it’s only opening weekend!”
I thought that the Center had done a good job at sneaking in information about the area. One display had information on the wine growing region as well as discussing the oil production history of the counties south of Erie. I’m not sure if the information desk does this already, but the Center should have a dedicated information table specifically showing tourists the different area attractions.
On the premise is a class/conference room which obviously will be a great tool for area schools as well as universities and colleges. I think it would be a good idea as well to invite in different groups and businesses to use the room for small conferences and meetings. Anything you can do to bring people to the Center. It doesn’t have to be related specifically to Presque’ Isle.
Last, the big screen movie theatre is a nice finishing touch to the Center. Although technically not an IMAX, the size is still impressive at 48 X 33 feet (roughly). Hopefully the Center won’t just limit itself to run of the mill educational films but will take the opportunity to show some regular Hollywood films (check out the Henry Ford Museum IMAX to see what I mean). It doesn’t have to be multiple daily showings but simply a weekend event where on Friday and Saturday, a mainstream flick will show at 7:30 and 9:30 (wholesome during the day, action-packed thrillers at night). This would give another reason for tourists and more importantly, Erie natives, to visit the Center.
All in all I thought the Center was put together well and anyone who visits the area will leave impressed (and have reason to come back). Although there are still some snafu’s the Center needs to reconcile, such as positioning staff differently and thinking out-side the “we’re a nature center only” mentality (as in “think outside the box”), the TREC has great potential and is a gem for the Erie area. Here are some additional pictures if you’re interested.
Posted by Richard at May 29, 2006 9:52 AM
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