The focus of this blog will be the Tom Ridge Environmental Center which is located at the entrance to Presque Isle on Peninsula Drive. It is a green building, consisting of hundreds of glass windows which face the sun in order to naturally light the facility. Also, the building's roof in inverted so that it can collect rain water, greatly reducing overall water usage. Lastly, all builing materials were recyclable.
The Center is 7,000 square feet, primarily devoted to teaching Erie residents and visitors about Erie's precious peninsula and all the forms of life that inhabit it. Once inside, visitors are able to climb a 75 foot glass-enclosed tower to catch a beautiful view of Lake Erie. The downstairs of the Center includes a discovery center informing visitors about the various animals and wildlife that can be found at Presque Isle. Upstairs, one can learn about the history of Presque Isle, with an interactive pop-up map. There is also a Birds Through Binoculars spot to learn about the various birds that migrate to Presque Isle, teaching onlookers how to identify birds according to their spots and sounds.
The Tom Ridge Environmental Center also has an orientation theater designed to introduce newcomers to the beaches of Presque Isle. The theater enables visitors to enjoy Lake Erie regardless of the weather, playing a free, 15-minute film that displays a sunrise and a demonstration of the Great Lakes presumed formation. The video concludes with Presque Isle's mesmerizing sunset.
For those hoping to enjoy a longer film, the Center also has a Big Green Screen Theater with a four-story-high by 45-feet-wide screen. Here viewers can experience mountain climbing, diving and kayaking in a 45 minute presentation that places visitors in the center of the action. The theater has a 175 person capacity and three film choices are available each day.
After exploring all that the Tom Ridge Environmental Center has to offer, one can conclude their day by stopping at the Sunset Cafe to enjoy homemade meals, snacks and desserts.
Admission to the Center is free, so don't hesitate any longer; visit the Tom Ridge Environmental Center today.
Here is a slideshow of several of the exhibits and activities one can experience at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center...
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