By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The Kansas Wetlands Education Center on K-156 Highway just northeast of Great Bend already provided guests of all ages with information about Cheyenne Bottoms and the surrounding area. KWEC Director Curtis Wolf said even more educational options are on the way with nature-themed musical pieces for kids and a metal-framed kiosk that will help travelers.
"We're going to put this area right in front of the center," he said. "I think it's going to be a wonderful attraction - just a new feature that I think kids will enjoy and will be able to spend a little time out there."
The Percussion Play instruments will include cattail chimes, bongo drums, flowers with bells, and a Cyclone - a wheel with marbles that sounds like rain when turned. The area, which will be near the pollinator garden, will also have artificial turf for easy access. Wolf hopes to have the instruments installed by September before the Butterfly Festival. Concrete was poured last week for the kiosk.
"That Kiosk will have several panels that have information about Cheyenne Bottoms, the Wetland Educations Center, and our programs, but it will also have spots for brochures. We oftentimes have people stop at the Wetlands Center when we're closed. They will still be able to get the map of Cheyenne Bottoms and some of the other local brochures we go through a lot of."
Projects have also improved the interior of the facility. Afternoon sunlight makes a lighted projection on the floor difficult to see. The height of the windows letting in that sunlight posed a problem for KWEC staff. Aaron's Repair & Supply designed and installed a bracket to hold a curtain rod to help block out the light. After the bracket was successfully installed, Wolf learned Aaron's Repair was donating the work.
"It's worked out just how I wanted it to," Wolf said. "In the afternoons, you can see that floor projection. It's been a great project."