Hey Betty,

         Why not just buy one of the houses that borders the park? Can you
get funding for something like that - the houses are from $155,000 to
$180,000. I can check out zoning - can't be much different than doing day
care.

                                        Hugs
                                          Trisha

> Amber and I have been there a couple of times.  We really enjoyed
ourselves
> too.  That sort of gave me an idea about building a completely accessible
> nature center around here.  It would be for everyone, but we would cater
to
> children with disabilities.  If I became a wildlife rehabilitator, I could
> take in animals who are in a state of need, such as a bird who is injured.
> This could be a great learning experience for the children.  All the
exhibits
> would have accompanying explanations in Braille, and as much as possible
> would be "hands on" oriented.  I sign, so we would also have a "built-in"
> interpreter.
>
> I keep wondering if Habitat for Humanity would be interested in building a
> place like that?  If I could have a small, adjoining place in the back to
> live in, I could run the center all the time, and have a place to live
too.
> The back yard would be a little nature reserve with a butterfly garden,
> flower garden, etc., and children could see how an ecosystem is supposed
to
> work.  We would have volunteers to help though. My Mom thinks they
wouldn't
> build it (HFH), but I bet they would if approached in the right way.
>
> Local schools could send their classes for field trips, and with all the
> accommodations for PWDs in place, they would also get a chance to see how
> that works.  The whole thing would be set up so children would have fun
> learning about nature.
>
> That's my little dream...