River Park North Science and Nature Center
project type: museums
The Center
The River Park North Science and Nature Center is a 3,000 square foot environmental education at a park along the banks of the Tar River in Greenville, North Carolina. Developed and run by the City of Greenville Parks and Recreation department, the center owns an extensive collection of taxidermy mounts of wild animals and fowl representing both local areas and all of North America. One of the major tasks of the exhibits was to display and interpret these
animals. Design Dimension worked closely with the owners and architects to design a unique exhibit package that satisfied their needs and desires.
The Exhibits
The exhibit sequence begins in the center’s lobby where temporary exhibits and displays are stationed. A variety of environmental messages are featured in these displays, such as water quality, recycling, and forest management.
Just off the main lobby, a large multimedia theater serves as a movie theater for environmental-themed films as well as meeting space for large groups.
The Main Hall – Snakes and More…
The main exhibit hall is a large, darkened space that is brought to life with extensive dioramas, large fresh water aquarium tanks, live reptile tanks, an interactive turtle touch tank, and a massive collection of seashells from around the world.
The largest diorama features North American animals displayed in geographical and habitat-based arrangement. A large hand-painted mural behind the diorama recreates the scene for each habitat from west to east across North America, with animals displayed in recreated plant and earthscapes in the foreground. Light box rails in front of the diorama detail and interpret the different animals. Adjacent to this diorama, a collection of snakes and other reptiles are displayed in tanks built into the walls of the exhibit hall. Lit from within, visitors can view these animals up-close.
Amazing Fish
The center of the room features a viewing area for a massive 10,000-gallon freshwater tank. An assortment of fish representative of those one might find in the Tar River inhabits the tank. Light box graphics on each side of the tank interpret some of the fish visitors might see.
For the Kids
An exhibit that is fun for kids is the turtle touch tank. This 15 foot long water table is set at “kid” height and is brimming with an assortment of freshwater turtles that visitors can pick up and handle.
Waterfowl Display
Just beyond the turtle tank, the waterfowl diorama recreates the habitats of many of the area’s water-loving birds. Again, a hand-painted background and simulated earthscapes provide context for an assortment of ducks, waders, and flying birds. Backlit rail graphics identify the birds in the diorama.
Seashells of the World
A collection of seashells from around the world was bequeathed to the center and is also on display directly across from the freshwater tank. Arranged on a map of the world, the shells show the wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures that make shell collecting so exciting. A text panel beside the map tells the story of the collector and where the shells came from.
A Great Local Destination
The River Park North Science and Nature Center has become a great destination for local school groups as well as families from the local Greenville and surrounding areas. The center brings its collection of nature elements together in a location much more convenient than the larger science museums in the Raleigh-Durham area, and its proximity to the Tar River allows for great on-site interpretive opportunities and programs.