EDUCATION CENTER

Building for the Future: An Education Center for the Bridge

Here we grow again! Have you seen our new sign on the west end of the Flowering Bridge: Future Site of the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge Education Center? 

Since its beginning almost 10 years ago, education has been a big part of our mission at the Bridge. We have a new goal to expand this mission by creating a “Living Classroom,” which makes full use of all the Bridge has to offer: the gardens, the compost center, the Chimney Swift tower, the sensory and audio tours, and our volunteers. In December 2021, the LLFB Board of Directors established a task force to oversee the planning, fundraising, construction and management of an Education Center.

The building will have a small footprint, but we think it will offer huge opportunities! Our conceptual design measures only 24’ x 36’ with a ceiling peak of 12’ and a porch across the front. The building front will face into what is now the visitor parking lot, which will be transformed into a courtyard with tables and chairs for visitors to participate in classes and events or to sit and enjoy the gardens. It will be climate controlled, include an ADA-compliant restroom and offer audio/visual capabilities.

We’re very excited about this center and its possibilities. Since the Bridge was established in 2011, we have conducted over a hundred educational classes benefiting residents, students and visitors to the Lake Lure area. Our classes and events are immensely popular, but because they must be conducted “open air” and often in the middle of our small parking lot, we have had to cancel or relocate classes at the last minute due to unpredictable weather. With an Education Center, we can expand our educational program and provide a more comfortable and accessible learning space for participants regardless of weather. We anticipate making our building available for community groups such as garden clubs and others such as 4H, scouts, and schools, thereby enriching visitors’ experiences year round.

Monies have been set aside for this project, and we are seeking additional funds by applying for various grants and exploring other fundraising options. Currently, the task force is working with the Town of Lake Lure, contractors and engineers on the design of the building and addressing parking for visitors and volunteers. While we’ve encountered some delays, we are excited about the progress we’ve made and look forward to sharing some good news soon about the ground breaking.

We will continue to post updates on the progress of our Education Center here on our site, as well as how you can donate to this project. Questions? Email us at info@lakelurefloweringbridge.org.