At two community meetings Wednesday, Eco Discovery Park founder Steve Rose outlined plans for the updating the park to attract more visitors.
In September 2011, James City County approved leasing the marina and 8-acre park to Rose for three years with a two-year extension. Eco Discovery Park opened last February and workers have spent the first year cleaning up and renovating the building. By April 2012, kayak and bikes had been purchased for park visitors to rent.
In the near future, Rose plans to begin work on trails throughout the park area and a demonstration garden. Construction on a fence for the garden, using reclaimed wood and pickets from Kidsburg, will begin soon. Rose also plans to continue work on the park’s main building and will send out emails requesting volunteers on good weather days.
Rose has also had someone express interest in operating a tour boat similar to the Jamestown Explorer, which took groups to Jamestown Island. He hopes to settle a deal on that soon, which will allow the boat to begin operating by spring.
In addition to the projects starting soon, Rose has several things planned that need additional funding from donations or grants:
- Exhibits on composting, harvesting rainwater, recycling, alternative energy and “The Story of Trash”
- Signage and display boards: As an example of a sign for the park, Rose would like to place a sign in the building at the park about a recently installed door. Rose said the door is a “three-hour fireproof door that would cost $1,500” but Rose salvaged the door from Kidsburg without paying the high price.
- Sustainable construction methods and rustic structures, not “glitzy” structures: “The aim is to try to use what we have here, plus create small exhibit spaces,” Rose said. He added he would like to reuse shipping containers as buildings for exhibits because they are easy to lock, are watertight and would easy to move as exhibits change.
- Art projects and sculptures: “People who are interested in and involved in the environment are also interested in art,” he said. One of the pictures Rose showed was of a Dumpster painted with a bright mural. “It’s a little bit out there for Williamsburg, but that’s OK.”
- Recycling center: Rose said with sparse recycling days for paints, batteries and other items that can’t be put into a curbside bin, he would like to have a permanent day-to-day location for the community to bring those items. The James River Association, which has an office at the park, wants a place for people to recycle oyster shells for use in oyster beds.
- Hands-on learning tools: Rose wants to be sure any exhibits in the park have a link to technology. He is interested in having an app made so kids can use it to learn about park exhibits.
- Geocaching: Rose would like to add more caches to the three already in the park.
- Programs and lectures: In the past, the park has hosted a few kayak trips but would like to expand on kayak and bike tours, as well as corporate events. Rose hopes to host some activities for groups like the Boy Scouts of America, having the Scouts construct benches for placement in the park.
- Information area, environmental library and small environmental store
- Café with healthy, locally sourced menu: Rose said the park received the go-ahead from the county to put in a café but some structural work needs to be done first. He hopes to have a simple menu with items like sandwiches and wraps, soups and crêpes with fresh, local produce.
Rose is working to secure funding from corporate outlets and is looking for volunteers with experience in grant writing. He hopes to receive a grant for the purchase of bike racks to place around the area.
“We want to be able to reach out into the community,” he said.
Once 90 minutes worth of exhibits are available in the park, Rose plans on charging a reasonable admission. He estimates an adult ticket would cost about $5.
Eco Discovery Park offers single and tandem bikes, single and double kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and canoes for rent. Rentals are for two hours, a half day or a full day. Individual and family memberships are available and include one and four half-day rentals, respectively, as well as a 10 percent discount on future rentals and purchases. Members can also launch their own kayak or canoe for free, rather than paying $2.
The Chocolate Affair is a fundraiser for the park and will celebrate its 10th anniversary March 16.
