A generous donation from Honda of America to Metro Parks was earmarked for the development of a wetland education area in the new Glacier Ridge Metro Park. Metro Parks design staff prepared the master plan for the overall wetland area but detailed site and architectural plans for the education facility were required for the permits, bidding and construction. The design process included design and detailing of a 1000-foot boardwalk across the wetlands, restrooms, outdoor education pavilion, wetland observation tower, wetland sanitary treatment system, and vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

The design team was instrumental in suggesting an 1800’s era barn on adjacent Metro Parks property be dismantled and reassembled on-site for use as the main outdoor education pavilion. The barn proved to be the source of inspiration for what developed into a small complex of farm themed buildings for storage and restrooms. The theme is consistent with another picnic shelter and restroom building located in a more remote area of the new park. Progressive storm water and sanitary treatment methods were utilized on what amounts to a peninsula of land created by the new wetlands constructed by Metro Parks.