North Beach Classroom
Rehabilitation
The Sandy Hook Foundation has transformed a
newly acquired indoor space into a hands-on learning resource that takes
advantage of the unique coastal and ecological environment at Sandy
Hook. Between 2.2 and 2.5 million people visit Sandy Hook each year,
including an estimated 250,000 visitors to North Beach, where the
classroom is located. The park hosts over 50,000 school children
annually, with more than 20,000 of those attending formal environmental
education programs at North Beach. Most school groups are from Central
and North New Jersey, with some groups from Pennsylvania, New York, and
Connecticut.
Until now, there has been no classroom on Sandy Hook that is proximate
to the dunes and beach. School groups and others have had to rely on
clement weather and busses to explore the flora, fauna, and geo-science
of this coastal ecosystem. SHF was able to access this space for
dedicated use by educational partners within the park. The Foundation
immediately began a process for rehabilitating the space and equipping
it for educational purposes. Partner organizations, including the NJ
Marine Science Consortium (NJMSC), Brookdale Community College are among
those who have started daily programs in the improved space.
At North Beach installation of solar roof panels and associated
interactive materials to inform students and beach-going visitors about
the process of converting solar energy into electrical power was
completed in 2009. The exhibit includes a computerized monitor
indicating the strength of the sun and the amount of energy generated.
The classroom had to meet National Park Service required safety codes
and defined rehabilitation and restoration building policies. Under NPS
supervision, a water line has been brought to the sight and a slop sink
installed for wet lab use. Fans for proper air circulation, screen
doors, emergency safety exits with mandated hardware have been
installed. Brookdale Community College has provided tables, chairs and
storage closets; New Jersey Marine Science Consortium is providing
spotting scopes for shore bird viewing, microscopes, and other classroom
equipment. The Foundation would also like to thank Investors Savings
Bank for their contribution to the Sandy Hook Foundation in support of
the classroom. We hope to further upgrade the classroom by providing
heat so it may remain open for longer time spans during the year.