🌱THE GARY R. MERKAMP ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER “THE DEN”- GRAND OPENING
🌱THE GARY R. MERKAMP ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER “THE DEN”- GRAND OPENING
🗓️Date: Friday, May 15th, 2026
đź•ŁTime: 12-2 PM
📍Buzzard’s Roost | 514 Red Bird Ln. Chillicothe, OH 45601
The big day is almost here! Join us as we celebrate a huge milestone for the Ross County Park District. On May 15th we will cheerfully open the doors to The Gary R. Merkamp Environmental Learning Center AKA: The Den. Named after our first director, this space will give the community a fun, safe place to discover, play, and learn ways to protect nature.
We invite you to check out the space, enjoy some fun interactive elements, or just hang out on the deck and relax in nature at the heart of Buzzard’s Roost.
The Den is located at the top of the hill right next to the shelter house. It can be accessed by walking up the maintenance road, taking a short leg of the Lookout Trail, or (our favorite) hiking up the KNZ Trail- all just under a half mile.
KNZ merch raffle, light snacks, and yard games will be provided as the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce joins us to cut the ribbon.
The Den is suitable for all age groups.
*Only handicap parking is available at the top of the hill.
*Live stream will be available through our Facebook page.