Wildcat Glades Friends Group, Joplin Chamber of Commerce and Missouri American Water will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the Education Cottage to be housed on the former ballfields of Wildcat Park at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, at Wildcat Park, Joplin.
The festivities will include a review from our board President, Steve Gaarder. Acknowledgment of the donors and partners who have played significant roles bringing the Cottage into reality by Executive Director, Robin Standridge.
Initial funding for the Education Cottage provided through a grant opportunity from Missouri American Water. Other funders stepped forward, giving additional dollars to increase the size and quality of the facility. Those funders included Orbis and four anonymous donors. Solar power will don to the Cottage thanks to an additional anonymous funder. Goins Enterprises, Olson Engineering, Corner Greer & Associates, ATC, and Fagan Electric have also made considerable in-kind contributions to the project.
The Education Cottage will be an 864 square foot classroom to be utilized by volunteers for community classes and events. Currently, Wildcat Glades Friends Group conducts classes at Shoal Creek Conservation Center, Empire Market, and the Wildcat Park Pavilion. Due to the demand for more conservation classes, this space was a necessity.
The Joplin City Council, Joplin Parks & Recreation Department, and partner Missouri Department of Conservation have collaborated with the group throughout the process.
The Cottage will set in the former ballfields at Wildcat Park. The former ballfields have been renamed “The Village” by the Friends Group. A natural play area, The Eagles Nest Landing, will be renovated this spring in time for a debut at the 2nd Annual “May the Forest Be With You” event April 25.
