The Briar Bush Nature Center, located at 1212 Edge Hill Road in Abington Township, recently announced the start of a substantial improvement project which has been in the making since 2016.

Enhancements include an accessible trail to the Griscom Bird Observatory, a renovated program pavilion, an expanded gathering space, streetscape improvements, a new relocated butterfly house, an expanded rain garden and thousands of native plants.

The Center said that it might close beginning January 2 with an expected project completion date of May 1.

“The Museum will likely be inaccessible for up to eight weeks from January to March, leading to some park-wide closures and canceled or relocated programs,” their announcement said.

It continues:

Public participants in the master plan created the priorities, which will benefit the community by allowing people of all abilities to access the Griscom Bird Observatory and Dede Long Nature Museum, as well as the new pavilion and front porch. Moving the current butterfly house, which is seasonal in use, out of the center of the parking area will make the parking and drop off areas much safer. Replacing trees, mainly ash trees already dying from invasive Emerald Ash Borer, with native perennials at the entrance will create pollinator habitat and maintain much needed, safer sightlines for entering and exiting. New signs and lighting will allow visitors, new and old, to find us more easily.

Abington Township will perform the work. The project has been financed through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Abington Township, and members/supporters of Friends of Briar Bush.

For updated facility accessibility, you can check the Center’s website and Facebook Page or call 215-887-6603.

The Center also noted that 2024 is the 50th anniversary of the Friends of Briar Bush.

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Photos: Briar Bush