Susan Durisek’s blog

Floracliff  

If you’re already dreamiing of spring wildflower walks by the Kentucky River, here’s some good news:  Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, located in southern Fayette County, has broken ground for the future Winifred W. Haggart Nature Center at 8000 Elk Lick Falls Rd.  The 2040-square-foot Winifred W. Haggart Nature Center, designed by James W. Potts Architects, will serve as a visitor’s center, classroom, meeting room, library, and a location for employee offices. The building will also have restrooms, a kitchenette, and storage facilities and will be fully handicap accessible. The classroom will allow the organization to expand educational programming that focuses on the natural environment of the Inner Bluegrass. Anderson Communities has signed on to be the general contractor.

The means to build the Nature Center was made possible by a bequest from the late Winfred W. Haggart. Ms. Haggart was a close friend of Dr. Mary Wharton, who founded Floracliff Nature Sanctuary. Both women taught at Georgetown College, where Dr. Wharton headed the biology department and Ms. Haggart headed the art department. Knowing Mary Wharton (who died in 1991) had recognized the need for indoor space to facilitate and enhance the accomplishment of Floracliff’s mission, Ms. Haggart left this bequest after her own death in 2002.

The building and surrounding parking lot will include many elements of green design. Permeable materials will be used for the parking area. The building will incorporate high efficiency windows and insulation, SEER rated HVAC system, metal roofing, and locally harvested wood for the interior.

The project is expected to be finished by early summer of 2010. Once the building has been constructed, they will be hosting an Open House celebration.  Check Floracliff’s Web-site for updates.  For more information, call manager Beverly James at (859) 351-7770 or email floracliff@aol.com.