News Release 213

NEW EXHIBITS AND UPDATES ARE COMPLETE IN
BENNETT SPRING STATE PARK'S NATURE CENTER

Volume 36-213

Contact: Sue Holst

(For immediate release)

573-751-6510

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., APRIL 21, 2008 -- On your next trip to Bennett Spring State Park near Lebanon, take a break from fishing and check out the recent improvements to the park's nature center.  New exhibits and updates are finished and awaiting your arrival, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today.

The most dramatic changes occurred in the center's exhibit area. Some exhibits received minor alterations while some exhibits were completely revised. The main theme is still "Missouri's Ozark Springs," and most of the original models, graphics and dioramas are still in place.

One major revision is the "Springs of Missouri Ozarks" display that now includes a 12-foot-long interactive map that highlights the different sizes of springs in the Ozarks. A push button system activates the color-coded lights and audio, which coordinate with the different sizes of springs. The interpretation of the quality and quantity of spring water and its influence on Ozark life includes photographs of the eight largest springs in Missouri. Another exhibit that focuses just on Bennett Spring features new photos of divers in the spring along with artifacts that came from the spring.

Many of the changes also made the nature center more accessible to people with disabilities. Modifications to some exhibits included text size and the viewing height of objects. For example, artifacts and tools of the different inhabitants of the park were taken off the wall and displayed in cases easily accessed and viewed by all visitors. Extra sets of operator-assist doors were added to each side of the lobby entrance to create energy saving airlocks. An accessible bathroom was added.

Another improvement was the modernization of some areas of the nature center, which was constructed in 1969. In some areas, lighting was upgraded to energy-efficient compact fluorescent fixtures. Also, multi-media sound and video systems replaced outdated equipment in the program room. Other differences reflect the advances in exhibit fabrication during the last two decades.

These are just a few of many changes and enhancements made to the numerous exhibits. To see all of the changes, visit the nature center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.  These improvements were funded by the parks, soil and water sales tax.

Bennett Spring State Park is located 12 miles west of Lebanon off Highway 64 on Highway 64A.

For more information, contact the park at 417-532-3925 or the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (voice) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf). For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, visit www.mostateparks.com. 

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of upcoming meetings and events in the state park system, visit the online calendar at www.mostateparks.com/events/events.htm. 

###