Kent ISD — The Kent ISD School Board, in a 4-1 vote March 16, approved the sale of Howard Christensen Nature Center to Land Conservancy of West Michigan for $1,000.
During the meeting, Superintendent Ron Gorman said the decision to sell the property came after consulting with superintendents across Kent ISD, who determined the 135-acre site was no longer being used as it had been in the past for programming.
In a purchase agreement, Kent ISD budgeted $160,000 to remove the buildings on site.
The Land Conservancy has agreed to keep the property open to the public for educational and recreational use, such as hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Dr. NW in Kent City, was donated in 1975 to Kent ISD by Frank and Rita Christensen in memory of their son, Howard, who died in 1961 at the age of 17. Land Conservancy representatives indicated they plan to honor the Christensen family.
Kent ISD closed the center in 2005 due to budget cuts and Kent Conservation District took over operations in 2006, but closed the center in 2010 due to lack of funding.
In 2011, the nonprofit Lily’s Frog Pad, Inc. was formed to oversee day-to-day operations. On the Howard Christensen Nature Center website, Lily’s Frog Pad, Inc. board members stated they plan to cease operations in June.
Read more from Kent ISD:
• Wonder Walks explore nature around school
• Agriscience students gain experience, lend a hand at Meijer Gardens
