The Bruce Museum Seaside Center in Greenwich Point Park, Old Greenwich, opens for the summer season on Sunday, June 26, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., celebrating with the Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission’s event Experience the Sound: From Streams Through Soil to Sea.
This free event highlights local organizations and educational institutions to provide an opportunity for the whole family to learn about the coastal marine life, nature, outdoor recreational pursuits, and the environment.
At the 2015 Experience the Sound event, Mike Aurelia, Jay Louden, Roger Bowgen and Ed Stilwagen of Atlantic Clam Farms on the shellfish barge. Credit: Leslie Yager
Following the opening day festivities, the Seaside Center will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm, through Labor Day, September 5. Drop-in visitors are welcome to explore the shore and marine life and participate in daily programs that include seining, animal anatomy, microscopic observations and craft projects. This year two naturalists with previous experience will lead the Seaside Center. Cameron Driscoll, who as intern last summer shared his passion for everything from seaweeds to pufferfish, and Steven Fong, an accomplished environmental educator and Brucemobile instructor, will be assisted by college interns Christian Alexander and Robert Moss and numerous high school volunteers.
The experienced naturalists will also lead the Fred Elser First Sunday Science program on Sunday, July 2, from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. with a program on Marine Life Adaptations. In addition, special guest and children’s book author Andrew Kranichfeld will present a brief program at 2:00 pm and be available with his children’s nature books Oliver Saves the Nature Center and Karen’s Garden. A former Rye, NY, resident, Kranichfeld plans to talk about nature, gardening and the importance of fruits and vegetables, but might be persuaded to answer questions about his own adaptions to the fact that he has been blind for that past few years. Both Sunday afternoon programs are free and no reservations are required. No park pass is needed; just tell the guard at the gatehouse that you are here for “Experience the Sound” or “First Sunday Science.”
Fish tanks in the Seaside Center. Credit: Leslie Yager
Beach and parking passes are required for daily entrance into Greenwich Point Park. Non-residents can purchase permits on weekdays at Greenwich Town Hall or the Old Greenwich/Riverside Civic Center. Information is available on the Town of Greenwich website. To schedule a camp or group visit, contact Seaside Center Manager Cynthia Ehlinger at [email protected] or 203-413-6756.