Fall is officially on its way, and Blandford Nature Center is making it a little easier for families to get outside outside and enjoy it. With 264 acres, 8 miles of trails and plenty of fall color, the nature center is free to explore throughout the whole month of September.
Located at 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, the nature center will offer free admission Tuesday, Sept. 1, through Wednesday, Sept. 30, in an effort to increase public access to nature.
The Mary Jane Dockeray Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Labor Day, Sept. 7. The trails and grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk.
Visitors can explore Blandford’s 264 acres of forests, meadows and wetlands, including 8 miles of trails and 1 mile of ADA-accessible trails. The grounds also include two outdoor playscapes and Blandford Farm, where visitors can see farm animals and the Children’s Garden.
September visitors can also:
- Stop by the Visitor Center to see Poe the raven, one of 30 animal ambassadors who live there. According to Blandford, Poe loves to be the center of attention.
- Pay a visit to Mother Maple, located west of Blandford Farm. The tree is believed to be one of the largest and oldest maples in the region.
- Keep an eye out for late bloomers, particularly asters, which are in their prime in September and October.
The free admission month is made possible by a donation from Meijer.
“At Meijer, we believe everyone should have access to meaningful experiences that help them connect with their community and the outdoors,” said Eric Petrovskis, director of environmental compliance and sustainability at Meijer. “We’re proud to support Blandford Nature Center’s free admission month and welcome families to enjoy all it has to offer this fall.”
Visitors can also check out accessibility equipment and activity-filled backpacks at no cost from the Visitor Center.
Outside of admission-free months, Blandford Nature Center members receive unlimited visits. Nonmembers can visit with a $5 day pass.
More information about Blandford Nature Center, its trails, programs and other offerings can be found at blandfordnaturecenter.org.
