Howard Christensen Nature Center

Howard Christensen Nature Center Located only 5 minutes west from US-131, off exit 104; 5 minutes east from JCT M-37/M-46.

We are 3 miles north of M-46 (17 Mile Road), at:
16190 Red Pine Drive
Kent City, MI 49330 The Howard Christensen Nature Center operated by Lily’s Frog Pad Inc Center was established in 2011 as an independent nonprofit charitable organization. It operates year-round, is governed by a volunteer board of advisers and managed by professional staff.
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Howard Christensen Nature Center o

perated by Lily’s Frog Pad Inc is solely supported by charitable contributions and program/event fees and fund raising efforts.

06/06/2026

Our next board meeting is scheduled for June 9th at 6:30 p.m.
in the I.C. Building.
Public Welcome

June 5, 2026Business Update Dear HCNC Supporters,Thank you to ALL of you who continue to support our eff...
06/05/2026

June 5, 2026

Business Update

Dear HCNC Supporters,

Thank you to ALL of you who continue to support our efforts to remain open and able to provide programming for children at our nature center, as well as our efforts to save the 5 buildings from demolition. We appreciate each and every one of you!

To clarify, our goal is to preserve:

1) field trips to HCNC for students and teachers
2) spring break and summer camps to HCNC for area children
3) community events/retreats/Scouting campouts, etc.
4) 5 buildings from demolition -
Interpretative Center Building
Camp Lily Retreat Building
Welcome Center Building
Large Pole Barn (25'x60')
Pavilion Structure (near Camp Lily)

All of these activities would cease under the new ownership with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan, because they will not maintain buildings. The trails would be open for use, however.

We believe that area students and teachers deserve an opportunity to continue to brings students to our facility, for guided field trips to our unique property, as well as an opportunity for us to host camps and events for the community. We also believe that your tax dollars (and ours!) can be used in better ways, than the demolition of these solid, (and historical!) structures.

Tyrone Township officials have also expressed concern to the Kent Intermediate School District and Land Conservancy of West Michigan about this transfer of ownership, and the loss of these valuable resources to our township and community. We are thankful for their support!

Edited to add: At this time, we have been granted an extension to remain on site and host camps for the summer months, until Sept. 30, 2026, by Kent ISD.

A copy of our recent proposal to the Land Conservancy of West Michigan has been posted on the main page of our website. www.howardchristensen.org

Thank you, also, to Dan Salas for a video that he produced regarding our situation! It can be viewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzU6q1iwrTQ

There are a few more openings for our June Summer Camps:
https://www.howardchristensen.org/community-events/

July and August Summer Camp registrations are now open, as well!
https://www.howardchristensen.org/community-events/

Please Note; starting tomorrow May 30th, the I.C. Buildingwill only be open on Saturdays from 11:00am to 4:00pmuntil fur...
05/30/2026

Please Note; starting tomorrow May 30th, the I.C. Building
will only be open on Saturdays from 11:00am to 4:00pm
until further notice.
We hope everyone has a chance to stop by this summer.
The trails are open the same hours, dawn to dusk.
If any new information comes in, we will share it here.

05/20/2026

FYI. Need a space for a party, shower, wedding, reunion…..
Camp Lily will be available for rentals through Labor Day.

Check out our website for information on renting. .org
It’s a great place at a reasonable price.

Here is the information on our summer camps. We can’t wait to see all those smiling faces.
05/13/2026

Here is the information on our summer camps.
We can’t wait to see all those smiling faces.

A look back at some of our most liked nature photos. Come check out our trails to see what you can find.Reminder the I.C...
05/12/2026

A look back at some of our most liked nature photos.

Come check out our trails to see what you can find.

Reminder the I.C. Building is open on,
Saturday and Sunday. 11:00-4:00

05/10/2026

Our next board meeting is scheduled for May 12th at 6:30 p.m.
in the I.C. Building.
Public Welcome

05/05/2026

Dear HCNC Supporters,

Thank you for your continued interest in our efforts to save the buildings and our non-profit! We appreciate all of you!

There is a new update on our website:
https://www.howardchristensen.org/

This is from Adopt-a-Road today. We’d like to give a shout out to DJ Powers of Patriot Snow and Lawn and his Army Reserv...
04/26/2026

This is from Adopt-a-Road today. We’d like to give a shout out to DJ Powers of Patriot Snow and Lawn and his Army Reserve buddies, Scott Villanueva and John Greers.

Thank you for your help in keeping the roadway around the nature center clean and free of garbage.
Please remember to throw your litter in a trash can, so everyone can enjoy the beauty of Spring. 🙂

Address

16160 Red Pine Drive
Kent City, MI
49330

Opening Hours

Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+16166753158

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Howard Christensen Nature Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Howard Christensen Nature Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category