MSAE Celebrates Douglas Center Silver Anniversary, Saturday June 25

DC Celebration poster
Click to View Douglas Center's Silver Celebration Poster

Saturday, June 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Join the Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology and World Listening Project for a
presentation and soundwalk at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.

Location:

Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education
100 N Lake Street, Gary, Indiana 46403
Tel: 219-395-1772
MSAE Contact, Eric Leonardson: info@mwsae.org

 

Enjoy the soundscapes and natural beauty of Miller Woods. Learn about Acoustic Ecology. Discover nature in the city. Draw a sound map. Listen for the voices of the wild. This free, family-friendly event celebrates both the 25th anniversary of the Douglas Center and “Leave No Child Inside” month. This day-long event kicks off 10 a.m. at the South Shore Centre for the Arts across Lake street from the Miller train station. The Silver Celebration brings together many local community groups and partnerships, all with fun activities planned.

Learn about the many educational and recreational activities available in our region along the southern shores of Lake Michigan, from kayaking, swimming, and hiking to learning from scientists, park managers, and artists. The keynote speaker for the day’s event will be photographer and author, Dudley Edmondson, who will present some of his stunning nature photography and share tips for connecting with the outdoors on an interactive hike in Miller Woods. Other speakers, presentations, and activities will take place throughout the day. Check the park’s website for updates on the schedule of events.

Schedule of Events

Time

Description

Location

10 a.m.

Event welcome and Kick-off

South Shore Arts Center

10:30 a.m. -12 p.m.

Ongoing arts activities and strolls down Lake St. with Miller leaders

Meet at tent at SSA

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Douglas Center activities begin—ongoing booths and hikes every
30 minutes (see details below)

Douglas Center parking lot and building; meet for hikes on back deck

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Meet the Superintendent informal discussion

Douglas Center Classroom 2

12:30 p.m.

Dudley Edmondson presentation and photo hike in Miller Woods

Douglas Center auditorium

1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Douglas Center history

Douglas Center Classroom 2

1:30 p.m.

Soundwalk presentation and hike with Midwest Society for Accoustical
Ecology

Douglas Center auditorium

2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.

Whale Tales—swimming safety program

Lake Street Beach

2:30 p.m.

Stewardship hike in Miller Woods

Miller Woods—Meet on back deck of Douglas Center

3:30 p.m.

Dudley Edmondson presentation #2 and photo hike in Miller Woods

Douglas Center auditorium

4 p.m.

Beach clean-up with Lake Shore Dunes residents

Lake Street Beach

5:30 p.m.

Drum Divas performance

Lake Street Beach

Ongoing activities at each site:

South
Shore Arts Center, south Lake Street: 10 a.m.—12:30 p.m.

Activity

Leader

Location
Welcome tent with BP giveaways, passports, schedule NPS, Julie Larsen and Chicago Wilderness, Emilian Geczi and intern Tent in front of building
Arts and crafts Saundra Goldsby, NPS Volunteer Tent in yard
Face Painting South Shore Dance Alliance Tent in yard
Lake Street Strolls, leaving every 15-30 minutes MCC, Miller Historical Society, MBA Meet at Welcome tent

Douglas Center Site:  10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Activity

Leader

Location
Welcome tent with BP giveaways, passports, schedule NPS and Chicago Wilderness DC parking lot entrance
Fishing for kids Gary Parks, Ezra Alexander and NPS, DC parking lot
Junior Firefighter, Wildland Fire information and Smokey
Bear		 INDU fire team, Brandon Ramirez DC parking lot
Bird Olympics Chicago Department of the Environment, Jerry Attere DC trailhead parking lot and trail
Making bird feeders Save the Dunes, Amber Horowitz DC side deck
Heritage of people and place United Urban Network, Cassandra Cannon DC parking lot
Making bird houses Home Depot, Joe Villareal DC side deck
Stewardship and Invasive species; planting native seeds NPS, Jeffrey Hendricks DC rear deck
Douglas Center History, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. NPS, Kim Swift DC dune room
Lake County Tour Mobile South Shore CVA, Bob Victor DC parking lot
Camping Demonstration NPS, Bill Smith DC parking lot
Accoustic Ecology and Soundwalks Midwest Society of Accoustic Ecology, Eric Leonardson DC main hallway
Pond study Field Museum, KirkAnne Taylor Marsh dock on trail
Miller Woods hikes, every 30 minutes Special guests and NPS staff Meet in DC animal room
Bike Demonstration NPS ??? Gail Cross and
ParKids

Lake
Street Beach: 1 p.m.-8 p.m.

Activity

Leader

Location

Welcome tent with BP giveaways, passports, schedule

NPS, Kip Walton & Ezra Alexander, Gary Parks

Lake Street Beach northwest corner

Performance Stage

Kip Walton

Lake Street Beach northwest corner

Whale Tales, swimming safety demonstrations at 2, 3, 4 & 5 p.m.

Gary Parks and Recreation, Ezra Alexander

Lake Street Beach lifeguard stand
Kayaking demonstration Northwest Indiana Paddling Assn., Dan Plath Lake Street Beach
Kite flying NPS, Kyle Good Lake Street Beach

South Shore Train Schedule

To and From the West

Arriving from Chicago

9:48 a.m.

Leaving Miller to Chicago

1:31 p.m.

Arriving from Chicago

11:54 a.m.

Leaving Miller to Chicago

4:16 p.m.

Arriving from Chicago

1:21 p.m.

Leaving Miller to Chicago

6:05 p.m.

Arriving from Chicago

2:44 p.m.

Leaving Miller to Chicago

7:46 p.m.

 

The Douglas Center is located just a short five block walk along Lake Street from the Miller train stop. The South Shore’s schedule can be accessed at www.nictd.com.

The Douglas Center opened its doors in September, 1986 and was one of the first centers in a national park dedicated to environmental education. Throughout the last 25 years, the use and support of the Douglas Center has grown by school groups. The NPS has expanded the mission of the center as a west end nature center for the national lakeshore to attract families, neighbors, and adults from the surrounding communities.

Theme Statement:
The dream of Senator Paul Douglas and this center, named in his honor, is as relevant today as it was 25 years ago. Urban communities need national parks that are accessible, inspirational, and engaging. The National Park Service is using the 25th anniversary of the Paul H. Douglas Center to highlight its changing role in the community. The Douglas Center’s transformation from an education center serving primarily schools to a family-oriented nature center within the community of Gary will bring new audiences to the national lakeshore to enjoy hands-on recreational activities with the NPS and its partners.