Work at the Endicott Park Nature Center Nearing Completion

DANVERS, MA – The Friends of Endicott Park completed its online fundraiser last month, but there's more to be done to finish work on the Nature and Environmental Education Center.

The Friends of Endicott Park launched a fundraising campaign over the summer with the goal of reaching $10,000 by Sept. 16 to obtain a matching grant from MassDevelopment's Commonwealth Places program. On its fundraising site, the Friends said that with an estimated 170,000 visitors per year, there isn't enough room for the park's educational programs and activities.

To expand the programs, the park is constructing a Nature and Environmental Education Center onto the Visitors' Center at Endicott Park. According to information on the fundraising site, the Center will feature rotating exhibitions, hands-on activities, and include a workspace for arts and crafts.

Lois McKenzie of the McKenzie Group, who is doing the addition with her husband, said they found rot in the Visitors' Center, which has created a lot of extra work for the project.

"If we're going to do this, we're not going to do it halfway," she said.

The online fundraiser is closed, but the Friends of Endicott Park still need roughly $25,000 to complete the work. The Friends are selling a limited number of bricks to be engraved and placed in front of the Townley Family Children's Barnyard, and Endicott Park calendars for $10. The final tally of the online fundraiser was $18,017 from 161 patrons, which included grants.

People can purchase an engraved brick online or in person at the Townwide Open House on Oct. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. The Friends will be selling calendars and handing out apples.

The $20,000 raised online will go toward finishing the exterior of the Center and furnishing the interior.

Check out the fundraising video for the Nature Center: