Spotted at Nature Discovery Center

By Aaron Feldstein, Contributing writer | June 19, 2017

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Tiffany Podolsky with her son Quinn who was there for the simple machine class. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Buzz production assistant Dylan Aguilar teamed up with summer interns Aaron Feldstein and Jordan Miller-Mandel to chat with Buzz residents and take these photos.

While exploring the Nature Discovery Center in Bellaire, visitors will find tall trees, vibrant wildflowers and a variety of animals. Many Buzz residents enjoy the luscious greenery and foliage, which provides some much-needed shade on a hot summer’s day. The park is especially kid-friendly with on-site camps, petting areas and a playground that features a large sandbox.

Lucy Lucas typically brings the children she nannies to the Nature Discovery Center to play with the animals and explore the path that winds through the park. Micah (almost 2), Ezechiel (3), and Luke Ipe (6) love playing in the sandbox at the Discovery Center despite the fact that they have one at home. As Ms. Lucas describes it, “We come here because of the shade - most parks don’t have shade.”

Young Eli Rubenstein enjoys the swing at the Nature Discovery Center, in addition to the bunnies and fish. But his favorite activity appears to be the sandbox, where he was camped out today.

One and a half- year old Micah, three-year old Ezechiel and their six-year old brother Luke Ipe watch the hawks from the sandbox. (Photo: Jordan Milller-Mandel)

Along with the exquisite vegetation, the bunnies and the bustling sandbox, there's a family of hawks that currently nests at the Discovery Center. The mother hawk and her two fast-growing baby hawks are frequently seen flying or walking around the premises. There are also classes taught by teenage volunteers, such as Reece Tiras (almost 14) that help young children learn about concepts such as simple machines. Reece says that his favorite part about volunteering at the Nature Discovery Center is that, “The kids know a lot about simple machines and they’re really curious to try stuff with machines.

Overall, the Nature Discovery Center is a happening spot and a great place to go enjoy a little slice of nature in the fast-paced city.

Three-year old Ezechiel and his six-year old brother Luke Ipe watched the hawks from the sandbox. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Eli Rubenstein, age two, plays in the sandbox. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Hildy Caplan with her three-year old grandson Jackson Rockoff. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Quinn Podolsky, a three-year old from Bellaire, pets Dusty the bunny. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Reece Tiras, a 14-year old volunteer from Bellaire, teaches the simple machine class at the Nature Discovery Center. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Lauren and Francis Cohen pose on the porch of The Nature Discovery Center Office. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Francis Cohen, all smiles, on the porch of The Nature Discovery Center Office. (Photo: Jordan Miller-Mandel)
Channing Cooper, an intern at the Nature Discovery Center, waters plants in front of the park. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
One and a half- year old Micah, three-year old Ezechiel and their six-year old brother Luke Ipe watch the hawks from the sandbox. (Photo: Jordan Milller-Mandel)
Micah Ipe, a two-year old from Bellaire, plays in the Sandbox. (Photo: Jordan Miller-Mandel)
Eli Rubenstein, age two, plays in the sandbox. (Photo: Jordan Miller-Mandel)
Quinn Podolsky holds a piece of lettuce before feeding Dusty the bunny. (Photo: Jordan Miller-Mandel)
Anne Eisener shows Quinn Podolsky Scoot the Turtle while Elliot Cohen watches on. (Photo: Jordan Miller-Mandel)
The Nature Discovery Center in Bellaire is home to hawks, bunnies, turtles and fish. (Photo: Jordan Miller-Mandel)

Three-year old Ezechiel and his six-year old brother Luke Ipe watched the hawks from the sandbox. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Eli Rubenstein, age two, plays in the sandbox. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Hildy Caplan with her three-year old grandson Jackson Rockoff. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Quinn Podolsky, a three-year old from Bellaire, pets Dusty the bunny. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Reece Tiras, a 14-year old volunteer from Bellaire, teaches the simple machine class at the Nature Discovery Center. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Lauren and Francis Cohen pose on the porch of The Nature Discovery Center Office. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Francis Cohen, all smiles, on the porch of The Nature Discovery Center Office. (Photo: Jordan Miller-Mandel)

Channing Cooper, an intern at the Nature Discovery Center, waters plants in front of the park. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

One and a half- year old Micah, three-year old Ezechiel and their six-year old brother Luke Ipe watch the hawks from the sandbox. (Photo: Jordan Milller-Mandel)