Page 5 - The Buzz 09/04/2026

SEPTEMBER 4 - 17, 2026 The NEARBY NEWS | A5

The

NEARBY NEWS

FEATURING STORIES FROM MUSKINGUM’S NEIGHBORS.

The Dawes Arboretum broke ground at future

welcome center site BY LYNETTE DOTSON | THE BUZZ

A large group photo with many of the people who have been involved in the planning of the new welcome center was taken during the ground breaking ceremony. A drone photographer was taking a photo from
the sky as everyone waved. Lynette Dotson
A groundbreaking ceremony was number of restrooms the current vis-
held for a new welcome center for itor center has.
The Dawes Arboretum on August 21. “We’re also working toward it be-
The $17 million project puts acces- ing SITES Accredited for landscape,
sibility and sustainability at the fore- which means that we will be putting
front. It will serve as the centralized in a lot of bioswales for water reten-
place for greeting guests, and it will tion and water runoff. So, just keep-
be a place to provide information for ing true to our mission on conserva-
visitors, members, and donors. tion, the building will be sited and
“The Visitor Center that we have then presented as a true ecological
now is not adequate to serve the amenity,” Crockatt said.
community that we want to bring in. Crockatt said the first machines
We don’t have great ADA accessibil- will start to move in late September
ity. We don’t have great facilities as to begin construction. The building is
far as amenities with restrooms. So, expected to be completed within 20
in trying to make this a more inclu- months, with a ribbon cutting to fol-
sive, exceptional, accessible site, we low. Estimated completion is spring
decided right here, looking over this of 2028.
vista would be the greatest place to “We have started surgically remov-
be able to do this and to share those ing just a few trees. We have been
views with the entire community,” harvesting what we can to actually
said Stephanie Crockatt, executive turn into furniture. So we want to be
director for The Dawes Arboretum. as sustainable as possible,” stated A ground breaking ceremony was held at the new site for The Dawes Arboretum welcome center.
The plans to build the new visitor Crockatt. Lynette Dotson
center began a decade ago. Over The current Visitors Center will be-
that time, about three different itera- come a Discovery Center offering ed-
tions of what the building could look ucational and programming oppor-
like were considered before deciding tunities.
on the current and final design. “We have staff that have been
So about 10 years ago, they start- here for over 30 years. So this is very
ed on plans. They’ve gone through meaningful to them. The entire staff
probably three different iterations of contributed to the capital campaign
what the building could look like.” to have the building erected. So
“We finally decided on one that they’re all sharing in this. And I think
is much more agrarian. So it looks it’s inspirational. It’s motivating. And
more like a prairie-style building, they want to be able to provide more
which we think fits better. Taking the customer service and all of the good
lead from the Visitor Center that’s things that a proper welcome center
there now, you barely notice it, really. would be able to do,” stated Crock-
It fits so well within the landscape,” att.
explained Crockatt. This project was fully funded by
The welcome center will be ap- The Arboretum’s endowment, trust-
proximately 29,000 square feet and ees, and staff.
will boast a cafe, indoor and outdoor More information and progress
seating areas, a larger gift shop, updates can be viewed at dawesarb. Used with permission from www.dawesarb.org.
exhibit spaces, and three times the org/welcome-center.

Call for Nominations: COTC Alumni Awards SUBMITTED

Central Ohio Technical College The Outstanding Alumni Award “Jay” Barker, whose incredible ded-
(COTC) is now accepting nominations recognizes COTC alumni who have ication to the college and the com-
for its three annual alumni awards. personal and/or professional munity epitomizes the qualities and
The deadline to submit nomina- achievements that bring honor and characteristics this award seeks to
tions is Oct. 15. Award recipients will distinction to the college and individ- recognize.
be revealed at the college’s Alumni ual attainment or contributions for The Transitions Alumni Award rec-
Holiday Celebration on Dec. 3. the betterment of our community. ognizes COTC alumni currently work-
Each submission must include a The John C. “Jay” Barker Commu- ing at the college in either a faculty
completed nomination form and nity Service Alumni Award recog- or staff capacity who help advance
documentation that depicts how nizes COTC alumni who have made the college and make a difference in
your nominee meets the respective a significant impact on their local the lives of current students.
award criteria. Nomination materials community through their leadership, For more information, contact
may vary by award. Submit forms involvement and service. This award clawson.36@mail.cotc.edu or 740-
and find additional information at was created in memory of John C. 755-7866.
cotc.edu/awards.