City officials and staff will hold a grand opening for the new nature and retreat center at Oak Point Nature Preserve from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, in preparation for the center's opening day Oct. 9.

The facility, located at 5901 Los Rios Blvd., includes a visitor’s center, nature center, multiuse event rooms and office space for city staff. The Parks and Recreation Department moved into the center from its location in Municipal Center South in mid-July. Plans for the project had been in the works for roughly a decade, said Amy Fortenberry, Plano Parks and Recreation Director.


The $5.5 million project supervised by Pogue Construction is located on the east side of Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve. The center will focus on the natural elements and ecosystems found within the park.


In the building’s lobby, visitors can see an interactive map highlighting the area’s geology, hydrology, plants and animals as well as the park’s history. The grounds also provide open areas for events and family activities, such as star gazing, bird-watching and campfires featuring storytellers.


The facility will be open Mon.-Thu. 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Fri.- Sat. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fortenberry said the center will be an ideal location for smaller weddings, social engagements and work events away from the office.


"I think that this facility fills a void for Plano by providing a premier retreat space in our own backyard," she said. "The building is beautiful and compliments the 800-acre park in which it resides."