White Clay Creek Nature Center

New Castle, DE

Details
Exhibits
Classrooms/multipurpose space
Indoor and outdoor education and gathering areas
Sustainable design
Owner
Delaware State Parks
Services
Community Involvement, Sustainable Design, Interior Design, Full Design Services, Construction Administration, Building Information Modeling

White Clay Creek State Park—home to the most diverse trail system in Delaware and offering access to the region’s natural vistas, woodlands, and creek—connects, preserves, and draws local communities together. This new nature center will become a trailhead for the park and will be instrumental in maintaining and strengthening connections created by this special place.
 

Replacing an existing comfort station, the proposed building will provide restrooms and other visitor amenities, and will facilitate recreational and educational uses both during, and outside of, building hours. Two flexible classrooms will meet the needs of students and day campers, along with providing space for community gatherings and events.

Nestled within the existing sloping topography, the building defines the edge of the re-connected, more visible Tri-State trail, allowing hikers and other visitors to directly connect with the nature center and its offerings. This prominent location along the highly traveled Creek Road will draw visitors in to partake in park programming and to interact with the exhibits within the building, which will highlight local ecosystems.