The idea of an Outdoor Classroom was launched in March of 1976 when the seventh grade science students petitioned the Ogallala City Council to set aside a sandy weed patch site as a nature study area.
Assisted by the City, the Twin Platte Natural Resources District, the Soil Conservation Service, and Clarence Collister, the Junior High students along with their science instructor, George Acker, developed a 12-acre oasis along the south side of the South Platte River just west of the Holiday Inn.
"It is a place where people can observe plants and animals without upsetting natural systems, and where students can observe nature and understand it better."
With the help of other organizations, we want to develop the area even further by making it a more accessible park to tourists, people of surrounding communities, and for students interested in studying nature.
In 1992, the Village of Brady gave their old landfill a new look, transforming the site into a wildlife habitat preserve and wilderness area. The 11 acre project provides wilderness footpaths, benches for resting and bird watching, and a parking area in addition to the wildlife habitat preserve. Thanks to the Game and Parks Commission which provided financial assistance for the trees, the Twin Platte Natural Resources District for developing the tree plans and planting the trees, and the Village of Brady for providing the space for the preserve.
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