The parks and recreation department expects to complete construction of an outdoor classroom at the Spillway in Norco in early 2026. The space is designed to give residents an opportunity to learn, explore and connect with nature.
Grayson Touchard, a spokesperson for the department, said an outdoor classroom at Wetland Watchers Park was destroyed several years ago.
“Dow generously offered a donation to help rebuild the classroom, which helped kick-start the project,” Touchard said. “To better serve and provide greater access for residents, the new outdoor classroom is now being constructed at the Spillway Boat Launch in Norco.”
The classroom will be an open, covered pavilion that will provide a dedicated space for Swamp School and a variety of educational programs in partnership with the school system and the parks and recreation department.
The project was made possible through a $162,000 donation from Dow.
“Parks and recreation is excited to offer a fully accessible outdoor classroom,” Touchard said. “The new classroom includes a wheelchair-accessible ramp, a feature the previous classroom did not have. Its new location also provides much easier access for visitors compared to its former site at Wetlands Watchers Park.”
