The new building at Bluff Lake Nature Center.

The work has come a long way since ground broke on a campus improvement project at Bluff Lake Nature Center (BLNC) in March. On Monday, staff, donors, and volunteers signed a large board that was lifted into place at the topping-off ceremony.

Prior to the ceremony, BLNC Executive Director Rachel Hutchens led the group on a tour of the framed classroom and administration building and through the open-air area between the two spaces.

Offices, meeting rooms, multi-use classrooms, and bathrooms are part of the improvements, meant to provide a welcoming space for visitors. The project is also creating headquarters space for the BLNC team, which currently works a few miles away.

Guest at the topping-off ceremony sign a board.

“We love this space and this organization and truly believe that this project provides us an opportunity to be even better stewards of this land,” Hutchens said. “This new space will make Bluff Lake more accessible and less logistically challenging for families and groups, and will truly bring our team on site in a way we’ve never had before.”

Hutchens said the building is expected to open in December, with the new parking lot and accessible ramp opening shortly after that.

The 123-acre wildlife refuge, located at 11255 E. MLK Jr. Blvd., is adjacent to the site of the former Stapleton International Airport, which is now the Central Park neighborhood. The numbers of visitors to the preserve has grown as development in the area has increased. BLNC saw 100,000 visitors in 2024, its 30th anniversary year.

Construction began on the $8.5 million campus improvement in March thanks to donors who made the start of the project possible.

More progress on the building. Photo taken August 30.

BLNC board president Jared Luner called the groundbreaking “an important step, for Bluff Lake, in serving our community, and in bringing people into the outdoors in their own community.”.

During the construction, a new pedestrian entrance was opened on the northwest side of the site across from the Florence Way crosswalk. A pedestrian entrance was also added between between Iola St. and Kingston St. on MLK Jr. Blvd.

The BLNC team is expected to move into the new building in January with public grand opening celebrations taking place in February.

Front Porch photos by Christie Gosch

Children from the Bluff Lake Forest School and Outdoor Explorers
Homeschool Program “officially” break ground at the start of the building phase at Bluff Lake Nature Center.