MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The Gathering Circle, a small outdoor classroom and amphitheater located at the Harris Nature Center.

The theater and surrounding area is intended to serve as a site for school and camp lessons, presentations and other community programs.

Patty Robbins, President of the Harris Nature Center Foundation spoke at the opening of the Gathering Circle.

"This is, of all things a community project. It has been amazing for us to witness everybody stepping up to support this wonderful place."

The Gathering Circle is one of three elements of the planned Nature Exploration Area, all designed to expand the ways children and families experience educational programming.

The Haslett-Okemos Rotary Club was a key player in gaining support from Rotarians across the state of Michigan which helped the Harris Nature Center Foundation win a $5,000 Michigan Makeover grant from the Okemos branch Flagstar Bank.

They committed $10,000 to the project which included a $2,000 grant from the Rotary District Foundation 6360.