By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dillon Nature Center is in the process of creating a new strategic plan. This plan will guide the direction of the nature center for the next 5-10 years. Director John Gallagher says the study came from changes in the way people are using the center.
“People aren’t using the nature center like they used to or coming to our programs like they used to,” Gallagher said. “We’ve been trying to figure out what we should be doing that people want program-wise.”
Gallagher says most of the changes come from the pandemic and that the center decided it needed some direction coming out of that period.
“We’ve just been winging it trying to find out what works. Instead of continuing to do that, let’s do this properly and get input from the public and all of the stakeholders,” Gallagher said. “Then find a good facilitator who knows how to put together strategic plans and see what direction we should go.”
Gallagher says the age at which participants are participating in various programs has changed as well.
“Programs that we’ve been offering to the public on weekends and things like that. Different age groups from that past (that used the center) are not turning up now,” Gallagher said. “We just really want to find out what people want to do.”
A national search for a firm experienced in nature center strategic planning is already underway. Gallagher says a peer consulting team will be visiting the center April 15 and 16 to look over the area and take feedback from various entities. The public will also be invited to discuss the nature center with this team on Saturday, April 16. Gallagher says that, once the study is complete, it will go before the nature center board and then the board of Hutch Rec. The center hopes to have the study completed by the end of the year so changes can begin in 2023.
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