Waterman Center Developing a Sustainable Water Conservation Park
Work is getting underway on a series of "green" infrastructure improvements at the Waterman Conservation Education Center in Apalachin.
The project will include the installation of porous pavement, stormwater purification technology and a "babbling brook" waterfall.
Center executive director Christopher Audette said the work will start with reconstruction of the parking lot, which will require a deep excavation.
Speaking on WNBF Radio's Binghamton Now program, Audette said the new lot will demonstrate technology which will allow water to pass through it. Water collected will flow through several layers of sediment and rock before it's released.
New York state government has awarded a $330,000 grant to cover much of the project cost.
The Waterman center is continuing to seek $50,000 to $100,000 in donations to fund the planned work.
Audette said he's hoping an outdoor classroom will be built as part of the project, although that component may not become a reality unless enough money is received from other sources.
The improvement project is expected to be completed within a year.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 772-8400 extension 233.
For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.
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