ROGER JOHNSON NATURE CENTER
In 2021 the Board of Park Commissioners unanimously voted to establish a new nature center for Erie County citizens. The new building is located at Osborn MetroPark (3910 Perkins Ave., Huron, Ohio), the current headquarters of Erie MetroParks. The Roger Johnson Nature Center hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-4PM. The nature center is closed Sundays and Mondays.
The Roger Johnson Nature Center is now open!
The new nature center includes educational classrooms, built-in live animal areas, a turtle pond, community space, a library, murals, interpretive panels, and a Window-on-Wildlife viewing area. Energy efficiency is a priority to minimize environmental impact.
With over 40,000 annual visitors to Osborn MetroPark, the Roger Johnson Nature Center enables Erie MetroParks to better serve their visitors and continue the mission of “connecting the community with nature through education and exploration.”
The Roger Johnson Nature Center would not be possible without the steadfast support of our Board of Park Commissioners, Erie County residents, community partners, and the many donors. THANK YOU to the following contributors:
Margaret M. Murray, Phil & Maureen Engeler, Larry Fletcher, Steven F. Smith, Diane & Karle Nolte, Kiwanis Club of Sandusky, The Bettcher Foundation, Don Miears, Michael Heydinger, Carole A Dreffer, Gundlach Sheet Metal Works, Inc., Edward Jones & Co., and all the others that gave.
ABOUT ROGER JOHNSON
The nature center is named after long-time volunteer and patron, Roger Johnson. Roger and his wife, Diane Hahler-Johnson, have been supporters of Erie MetroParks for over 25 years. Diane decided to sponsor the new nature center because Erie MetroParks has been a central part of their lives for the past few decades.
Diane Hahler-Johnson’s interest in the outdoors began on a farm with her ten brothers and sisters. When Diane was teaching 2nd grade science at Bogart Elementary School, her students participated in field trips to Osborn MetroPark, piquing her interest and causing her and her husband to become more involved.
Roger Johnson’s interest in nature began in Marblehead where he, his brother, and friends would build rafts and float in the quarry ponds. Upon his retirement from Eaton Corporation as Director of Corporate Engineering in 1998, Roger continued volunteering with Erie MetroParks in various roles. He installed posts, marked trails, and created a jig used for drilling holes in the walking sticks for Go Take a Hike participants. Roger drove the tractor for hay (straw) rides for Harvest Happenings at Osborn MetroPark and Family Fall Fun Festivals at Edison Woods MetroPark. He and Diane helped with special activities including the Safety Fair, Earth Day, Harvest Happenings, pumpkin painting, Pedal Erie Parks, Go Take a Hike, volunteer appreciation events, and more. Beginning in 1999, Roger and Diane became butterfly monitors at the James H. McBride Arboretum. They would meet after school and monitor several different transects there.
The Johnsons volunteered before there was a Friends of Erie MetroParks group. Upon creation of the Friends of Erie MetroParks, they became “official” members and volunteered with that group as well.
Roger Johnson left us in 2015 and as a tribute to his life and all that he has done for Erie MetroParks, Diane decided it was the perfect way to honor his legacy. The Erie MetroParks Board of Park Commissioners and staff are grateful for the incredible generosity of Diane and Roger and are excited to call the Roger Johnson Nature Center home.
Thank you to the Wightman Wieber Charitable Foundation for their generous grant for the educational mural in the large classroom.
