Shorter is better: It's now Tualatin Hills Nature Center

It's a long name that has been around a long time, but the park district has decided shorter is better.

The Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center – a name that both sprawls across the written page and is a mouthful to say – is now known as the Tualatin Hills Nature Center. The THPRD Board of Directors approved the name change at their monthly meeting on Nov. 3.

"We think our patrons will find the new name easier to use," said Kristin Atman, THPRD interpretive programs supervisor, based at the Nature Center. "It will also help raise our profile and be more recognizable in the community we serve."

She said the name also more accurately conveys the type of activities that are provided at the facility, which opened to the public in 1998 and is located at 15655 SW Millikan Way, Beaverton.

"People will associate the new name with a center focused on nature and natural resource information," Atman said. "The word 'interpretive' seemed to confuse some people as to what we offer. So we're happy to eliminate that confusion."

An additional reason for the change was to make the Nature Center name more consistent with those of other THPRD facilities, such as the Tualatin Hills Athletic Center, Tualatin Hills Aquatic Center, and Tualatin Hills Tennis Center.

The Nature Center is located within the Tualatin Hills Nature Park, a 222-acre wildlife preserve in the heart of Beaverton that features evergreen and deciduous forests, creeks, wetlands, ponds and meadows. The park is home to a variety of birds, mammals, and smaller creatures. Its trails network includes 1.5 miles of paved pathways plus 3.5 miles of well maintained, soft-surface trails.

Highlights of the Nature Center include classrooms, a nature store, reference library, and exhibit area. It offers a variety of environmental education classes and activities for adults, children, and school groups throughout the year.

About THPRD

Formed in 1955, THPRD is the largest special park district in Oregon, spanning about 50 square miles and serving 230,000 residents in the greater Beaverton area. The district provides year-round recreational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Offerings include thousands of widely diverse classes, more than 90 park sites with active recreational amenities, 60 miles of trails, eight swim centers, six recreation centers, and 1,400 acres of natural areas. For more information, visit www.thprd.org or call 503-645-6433.