Campus Transformation: A New Meadow and Milestones Ahead

Teatown’s campus is changing inside and out. Our existing asphalt parking lot will become a native meadow, finishing work is bringing the renovated Nature Center closer to completion, and the new Education Center is preparing for its next major construction milestone.

Together, these improvements will improve the visitor experience, reduce traffic congestion, while making room for a safer, greener campus.

From Parking Lot to Native Meadow

One of the most exciting changes is taking place outside our buildings: work will soon begin on transforming the existing asphalt parking lot into a native meadow. This space will bring native plants and habitat for pollinators and other wildlife into the heart of campus, creating new opportunities to observe and learn from nature.

Making that change possible is the expansion of our permeable south parking lot, where work is nearing completion. Importantly, we are not adding any additional parking capacity to our campus as part of the project. Together, these improvements will improve visitor experience while making room for a greener campus.

Finishing Touches at the Nature Center

Inside the Nature Center, crews are working through the details that will bring the renovated spaces together. Flooring, painting, gallery millwork, and door hardware are among the finishing tasks underway or scheduled in the coming weeks, alongside final building-system inspections and construction cleanup.

The renovation is expected to reach substantial completion at the end of October. 

The Education Center Rises

With foundation work advancing, the new Education Center is preparing for its concrete floor slab, expected to be poured around October 1. Crews are completing the underground plumbing and electrical work, insulation, and preparations for the radiant-floor heating system that must be in place before the pour.

Construction will continue through the winter, with completion currently anticipated at the end of February 2027.

Work is also progressing on the new access route and the gabion retaining wall that supports it. Built from stone contained in wire baskets, the wall holds back soil while allowing water to drain through. Its open structure can also accommodate climbing vegetation, helping it blend into the landscape over time.

Tree planting to begin screening the wall from Blinn Road is scheduled to start this week. Native trees, evergreens, and vines will gradually soften its appearance as they establish and grow.

Hard Hat Tours (all welcome 18+)

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Teatown’s campus transformation with a guided hard hat tour. See construction progress up close, learn what’s taking shape, and hear how the new and renovated spaces will support Teatown’s future.

Help Bring the New Campus to Life

Each milestone brings us closer to welcoming our community into these new and renovated spaces—and fundraising is still underway.

Your gift to Teatown’s Campaign for Future Generations will help create the exhibits, nature playscape, and hands-on learning spaces that bring our mission to life. These are places where children will make discoveries, families will explore together, and visitors will build lasting connections with the natural world.

Please help us complete this next chapter for Teatown and the generations who will learn here.