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Dow-funded outdoor classroom opens at Spillway Park to support Swamp School
Summary
Saint Charles Parish on April 20 unveiled the Dow Discovery Deck at Spillway Park in Norco, a $200,000 outdoor classroom intended to host Swamp School and other environmental education programs; parish officials said Dow funded about 80% of the project.
The Saint Charles Parish Council on Monday celebrated the opening of the Dow Discovery Deck and outdoor classroom at the Spillway Park and Boat Launch in Norco, a $200,000 relocation intended to make wetland education more accessible to local schools and the parish's Swamp School program. Parish President Joel Jewell said the structure moves the outdoor classroom to a more convenient site for groups and will be used for field trips and hands-on conservation lessons.
"It's the perfect outdoor classroom, for kids to come and connect with nature and learn about preservation and learn about conservation," Parish President Joel Jewell said, adding that he expects the facility to see "a lot of use." Council members and staff described the project as part of a partnership between the parish and industry supporters.
Officials said Dow provided the majority of the project funding. In his remarks Jewell said Dow covered roughly 80% of the cost, and council members thanked the company for partnering on environmental stewardship and STEM learning initiatives.
Council members said the site supports the parish's Swamp School curriculum and helps familiarize students with wetland preservation and local water-quality issues. No formal action was required to open the site; the ribbon-cutting and remarks took place during the president's report and special-business portion of the April 20 meeting.
The parish invited local schools and community groups to schedule programs at the new Discovery Deck and said the site will be integrated into existing environmental education offerings.
