News

Blandford Nature Center Offers Free Admission For The Month of April

Including Free Programs, Activities, and a Sensory-Friendly Evening

Blandford Nature Center will be celebrating Earth Day for the entire month of April by offering free            admission beginning Monday, April 1st through Tuesday, April 30th. This month of free admission                        will include some complimentary programming and activities throughout the month at Blandford                    Nature Center located at 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Blandford’s trails and Visitor Center will be open to the public at no cost for the entire month of
April in celebration of Earth Day and in effort to increase public access to nature. The trails
and grounds will be open daily from dawn to dusk, and the Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center
will be open Monday-Saturday from 9am-5pm. Guests will have access to 264 acres of
forests, meadows, and wetlands, 8 miles of trails including 1 mile of ADA accessible trails, 2
outdoor playscapes, the Blandford Farm including the farm animals and Children’s Garden,
and more. Guests can also enjoy visiting over 30 rehabilitated Wildlife Ambassadors in the
Wildlife Education Center.

Blandford Nature Center is able to offer free admission during the month of April thanks to a
generous donation from Lake Michigan Credit Union. “LMCU is excited to partner with
Blandford Nature Center in expanding access and opportunity through free admission during
the month of April. The grounds at Blandford offer so much for visitors of all ages, and we
invite the community out to come experience our local nature center during this month,” said
Matt Cook, Vice President of Community Relations at Lake Michigan Credit Union.

Free Admission this month is open to all families and individuals, and includes resources to
help everyone in the community explore the outdoors. Blandford offers accessibility equipment
and activity-filled backpacks, both of which can be checked out at no cost.

Blandford Nature Center is also excited to be offering the second ever Sensory Night in
collaboration with Artists Creating Together. This free open-house style event takes place on
April 25th from 5-7pm as part of Admission Free April. “Sensory Night is a great opportunity for
people of all ages and abilities to come out to Blandford and enjoy wildlife encounters,
interactive listening activities and wildlife inspired crafts,” said Katie Clouse, Volunteer &                                  Community Outreach Manager at Blandford Nature Center. “Artists Creating Together will also
be bringing their Creative Cube – a fully accessible mobile studio that brings arts to individuals
of all abilities!”

Other free program opportunities include Storytimes with the Wildlife Ambassadors, Nature
Artifact Tables, Frog Watch Hikes, Storytimes at the Blandford Farm, a Composting Workshop
with Wormies, and more. Free and paid programming have been color-coded and labeled
accordingly with a key on Blandford Nature Center’s website. More information about program
opportunities, the trails and grounds, and Blandford Nature Center’s other offerings can be
found at: www.blandfordnaturecenter.org