Mt. Laurel Township will retain ownership of Paws Farm, while the center carries out improvements and other managerial duties
By ZANE CLARK
The Sun
Mt. Laurel residents and township officials often describe the township-owned Paws Farm Nature Center as a “gem.”
Now officials say that gem will shine even brighter with a new deal to turn over managerial duties of center to the Garden State Discovery Museum.
Under the three-year agreement, township officials say the township will still retain ownership of the center, but the Garden State Discovery Museum will now control all other aspects of managing the facility.
The center will retain its six, part-time employees with the agreement, in addition to plans by Garden State to add 10 positions, including new animal keepers, educators and sales staff.
In addition to the new staff positions, the discovery museum also plans to expand the hours and days of operation.
Current hours at the center last from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, but new plans will see the center open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day of the week, with the potential for additional hours depending on the season.
With the new positions and hours, Garden State also has plans to improve the center’s exhibits, animal enclosures, trails and outdoor play area, as well as add party rooms and a nature and toy store.
To carry out these changes, the center will close from the beginning of the new year through March 1, and upon reopening, the center will be rebranded as PAWS Discovery Farm.
Mayor Linda Bobo says she is “thrilled” about the deal with Garden State Discovery Museum and said it provided an opportunity for Paws Farm to become the “gem of Mt. Laurel” that it once was.
“Having this opportunity to partner with them will really add a level to Paws Farm that was missing in the past,” Bobo said.
Councilman Rich Van Noord echoed Bobo’s sentiments, and said he thought the deal was a “tremendous” partnership to benefit children everywhere, especially those in Mt. Laurel.
“It’s going to be a wonderful experience, and I know the folks at Discovery are going to do a fantastic job,” Van Noord said.
Roree Iris-Williams, founder and executive director of the Garden State Discovery Museum, said the museum was happy to come on board and help reinvigorate Paws Farm and run the facility to its full potential.
“All of us feel very close to the mission, and it really runs parallel to what we do at the Garden State Discovery Museum with children and families and educating the community,” Iris-Williams said.
Kelly Lyons, museum director for the Garden State Discovery Museum who also has a background in zoos and nature centers, called Paws Farm a “magical place” with many great features.
“It has lots of great parts to it with animals, exploration areas, great nature trails, great history and heritage — you’re basically giving me something we just need to polish a bit,” Lyons said. “It has a lot to it, and we’re going to start celebrating it.”
While the center is closed for renovations, Garden State Discovery Museum will honor all of the center’s current memberships at the Discovery Center in Cherry Hill.
To learn more about the Garden State Discovery Museum, visit www.discoverymuseum.com.
