Mr Magoo
December 6th, 2007, 10:42 AM
I saw this in the Patriot Ledger. I do not think that a public access road to the top of Great blue hill plus requisit parking is consistent with the many conservative restrictions that generally govern this treasured riding area.
Observatory raising cash for science center: Officials seeking $1 million in donations to get project startedObservatory raising cash for science center: Officials seeking $1 million in donations to get project started
An artist’s rendering of the proposed science center that would be built near the Blue Hill Observatory.
By L.E. CAMPENELLA
The Patriot Ledger
MILTON - Officials at the Blue Hill Observatory are increasing efforts to raise the $1 million they need to kick-start plans for a proposed 17,000-square-foot science center.
Over the next several months, Executive Director Charles Orloff and others will make presentations to Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, selectmen, state politicians and businesses in an effort to start a fund to build a science center.
‘‘We won’t be passing the hat, so to speak,’’ Orloff said. ‘‘We’re looking to let people know what we want to do, get them excited about it, and (ask) if they can help.’’
A meeting will be held tonight at Fuller Village on Brush Hill Road in Milton. Members of the public are welcome to attend the presentation at 6:30 p.m., after an invitation-only reception.
The observatory, built atop Great Blue Hill in the Blue Hills Reservation, has kept weather records since 1885. A National Historic Landmark, the observatory was founded by Abbott Lawrence Rotch, the son of a wealthy Boston shipping family that spent summers in Milton and the Blue Hills.
The new science center would have a computer lab for high school and college students to learn and train at the observatory.
The center would be built on land at the top of Great Blue Hill, about 100 feet from the observatory, and would have an observation deck for hikers and others to view the tree-dotted south side of the reservation.
Orloff said organizers have taken great pains to make sure the reservation’s natural integrity and beauty would be preserved. There would be overnight facilities for groups, as well as classrooms for the thousands of students who attend programs each year.
Plans and designs for the science center are preliminary.
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which oversees Blue Hills Reservation, must approve any plans.
Permits from the state for construction are also needed.
The initial designs were drawn up by Childs, Bertman, Tseckares, a Boston architectural design firm, and were part of a $100,000 state feasibility grant.
The project’s estimated cost is $10 million to $15 million.
A new nonprofit group, Friends of the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, is seeking members, volunteers and donors for the project.
Orloff said the group must raise at least $1 million before observatory officials can apply for matching state, federal and private grants.
‘‘This won’t happen overnight,’’ Orloff said. ‘‘It will be two to four years down the road.’’
L.E. Campenella is at lcampenella@ledger.com .
Copyright 2007 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Observatory raising cash for science center: Officials seeking $1 million in donations to get project startedObservatory raising cash for science center: Officials seeking $1 million in donations to get project started
An artist’s rendering of the proposed science center that would be built near the Blue Hill Observatory.
By L.E. CAMPENELLA
The Patriot Ledger
MILTON - Officials at the Blue Hill Observatory are increasing efforts to raise the $1 million they need to kick-start plans for a proposed 17,000-square-foot science center.
Over the next several months, Executive Director Charles Orloff and others will make presentations to Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, selectmen, state politicians and businesses in an effort to start a fund to build a science center.
‘‘We won’t be passing the hat, so to speak,’’ Orloff said. ‘‘We’re looking to let people know what we want to do, get them excited about it, and (ask) if they can help.’’
A meeting will be held tonight at Fuller Village on Brush Hill Road in Milton. Members of the public are welcome to attend the presentation at 6:30 p.m., after an invitation-only reception.
The observatory, built atop Great Blue Hill in the Blue Hills Reservation, has kept weather records since 1885. A National Historic Landmark, the observatory was founded by Abbott Lawrence Rotch, the son of a wealthy Boston shipping family that spent summers in Milton and the Blue Hills.
The new science center would have a computer lab for high school and college students to learn and train at the observatory.
The center would be built on land at the top of Great Blue Hill, about 100 feet from the observatory, and would have an observation deck for hikers and others to view the tree-dotted south side of the reservation.
Orloff said organizers have taken great pains to make sure the reservation’s natural integrity and beauty would be preserved. There would be overnight facilities for groups, as well as classrooms for the thousands of students who attend programs each year.
Plans and designs for the science center are preliminary.
The state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which oversees Blue Hills Reservation, must approve any plans.
Permits from the state for construction are also needed.
The initial designs were drawn up by Childs, Bertman, Tseckares, a Boston architectural design firm, and were part of a $100,000 state feasibility grant.
The project’s estimated cost is $10 million to $15 million.
A new nonprofit group, Friends of the Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center, is seeking members, volunteers and donors for the project.
Orloff said the group must raise at least $1 million before observatory officials can apply for matching state, federal and private grants.
‘‘This won’t happen overnight,’’ Orloff said. ‘‘It will be two to four years down the road.’’
L.E. Campenella is at lcampenella@ledger.com .
Copyright 2007 The Patriot Ledger
Transmitted Wednesday, December 05, 2007