Published: October 03, 2007 09:01 am      

We must preserve the Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center

To the Board of Directors at the Discovery Center:

Recently when I spoke with Theo Smith about all the fine opportunities being offered at the Discovery Center and asked about the future of the Center, she invited me to come to a meeting.

For those of you who do not know me let me introduce myself as a fifth-generation Clintonian, director of the Arboretum, mother of three, grandmother of four. I am passionate about a project named “No Child Left Inside,” which we embarked at the Arboretum last winter following a visit from my New Mexican grandson who was outside every day of his visit here except one inclement day and that day he went to the Discovery Center. Upon relating his experiences, “I saw a deer, rabbit and footprints of a cat and a raccoon in the snow.”

His friend in kindergarten replied, “I got two CDs from that Nature channel and did not have to go outside at all.”

Six of the Arboretum volunteers have worked on a collaboration with the Clinton Public Schools which will result in all second-graders coming to the grounds of the Arboretum twice annually for outdoor education.

For 10 days I was visited by another grandson from Illinois, an active 2-year-old. We had a wonderful time at the Discovery Center.

As I have reflected on the experience I feel very strongly about the thoughts in this letter. I spoke to two visitors today at the Discovery Center, one from Glenbeulah, Wis., who said, “When we come back to visit my father from now on another important stop will be the Discovery Center. I am proud that my hometown has such a place.” The first-time visitor from DeWitt will be back often, she promised.

I am a firm supporter of the Liberty Square and was part of the landscape design. I am an equally firm supporter of the Discovery Center which makes every effort to offer alternatives to television or Gameboys.

It seems to me that the founders, board and regular visitors would feel more secure and confident if a decision on a home for the Center could be made as soon as possible. I understand that there have been suggestions already made; we know that the time is closing in and I hope that all lines of communication are open. Further, when we look at other activities for children, swimming pool (what if the child does not swim?), parks (what if the child is physically handicapped?), summer camps (but what happens the other eight months of the year?). I am sure you get what I am saying. Look around the room, there is something for everyone, the brightest child, the weaker child, the challenged child and the child seeking a challenge. Few communities our size have something like this. I urge your board and the city to work together to make every effort to move ahead with plans for relocation of the Discovery Center.

Francie Hill,

Clinton