Cherry Hill-Based Garden State Discovery Museum To Take Over Operation of Mount Laurel Nature Center

Cherry Hill, NJ -- The Cherry Hill-based Garden State Discovery Museum has entered into a partnership with Mount Laurel Township to operate the Paws Farm Nature Center, the museum announced this week.

The nature center, located at 1105 Hainesport-Mount Laurel Road in Mount Laurel, will still be owned by the township, but the museum will take over all aspects of facility management.

In addition the six part-time employees currently at Paws, the museum will add 10 more positions. This includes experienced animal keepers, educators and sales staff.

“This is a win-win for Mount Laurel,” Mayor Linda Bobo said. “The township will benefit from the expert management of the Garden State Discovery Museum. The Discovery Museum was rated one of the 20 best children’s museums in the country, and we’re excited for the increased learning opportunities and enhanced experience the Discovery Museum will create at Paws.”

The nature center was first established in 1979 during the renovation of the Darnell Family Farmstead. It will close on Jan. 1, 2017. After undergoing improvements, it will reopen on March 1, 2017, as the Paws Discovery Farm.

Improvements will be made to all exhibits, animal environments and enclosures, Garden State Discovery Museum Director Kelly Lyons said.

The museum will also add party rooms to the farm, as well as a large nature toy store, a petting zoo and cleaning trails, and improve outdoor play, Lyons said.

There will also be animal shows and interactive theater shows. Additional animals will be brought to the site.

The Discovery Farm’s hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m., expanding on the current four-day week the farm is currently open. Hours may also expand seasonally.

Current Paws events such as the Easter Egg Hunt and Halloween festivities will continue, and the site will continued to be used as a voting site for Mount Laurel.

“We want the jewel of Mount Laurel to be a world class organization, and this partnership helps accomplish that,” Bobo said. “This is another example of how our council seeks opportunities to keep Mount Laurel a great place to live and raise families."