Florissant Park Foundation Donates $10K for Nature Lodge

The City of Florissant received a generous donation Monday night for its nature lodge.

The Florissant Park Foundation presented Mayor Tom Schneider $10,000 as well as a short list of suggestion to help enhance the Behlmann-Zykan Nature Lodge in Sunset Park. In past years, many people have cited the low usage of the lodge, but it has picked up in recent times.

The nature lodge was built and dedicated in the spring of 2009.

“We want to make sure we give money to fulfill those suggestions,” Park Foundation member Mark Behlmann said. “It’s time to pass on the leadership to the new mayor.”

Earlier this year, the city council approved amending the fees to the nature lodge. The amended rental fees are $200 for the top floor, $150 for the lower level and $300 for the entire building with a $300 deposit for residents. Previously, fees were $350 for top floor and $350 for the bottom floor.

Mayor Tom Schneider attributed the fee reduction to the increased rental of the lodge. He said more and more baby showers, wedding showers and family events have been scheduled at the lodge.

“It’s a great gift and very appreciated,” Mayor Schneider said. “Now it’s our responsibility to share the dream with a lot more people.”

Foundation member Don Zykan presented the check as well as a list of suggestions for the lodge, which included refrigerators, a commercial coffee pot, microwave, education materials, additional benches, a bike rack, cigarette butt containers and patio chairs and picnic tables.

Mayor Schneider said he agreed with the proposed ideas for the lodge and would make it even more attractive to the community at large.

He also said that groups who are interested in hosting programs pertaining to nature, history or other wholesome topics that would be informative and provide knowledge could rent the lodge for free for the programming.