The Center’s outdoor Critter Classroom, renamed the Dean Neubek Critter Classroom in 2020, is dedicated to the life of Dean Neubek, a young man who grew up in Bellaire and spent countless joyful hours at the Nature Discovery Center. A ceremony celebrating the renaming of this space was held in 2021.
This special part of our park is a favorite stop for park visitors, as it houses our box turtles, Clover the Dover rabbit, and Blossom the opossum in screened enclosures. The Bunny Throne, sculpted by local artist Jimmy Phillips, provides an enticing photo op as well as the perfect setting for imaginative play. There is a small lawn surrounded by bench seating and a whiteboard, creating a wonderful spot for teaching programs outdoors. The space is surrounded by native plants that are attractive to local wildlife, making this a great spot to sit and enjoy nature.
Many thanks to the Dean Neubek family, Page Southerland Page and the McCarthy Building Companies for their generous support.
