Suffolk County plans to launch the second phase of renovations to the Scully Sanctuary this winter as it continues to ready the facility as the future home of the Suffolk County Nature Center.  The work will include various improvements both inside and outside the 1917 building, which was designed by Grovsner Atterbury and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A parking lot, complete with a second “exit driveway,” will be constructed where an existing tennis court currently sits on the property.  The court’s footprint will be approximately doubled by the new parking lot and the existing paved surface will be replaced with a permeable fine gravel surface.

Walkways will be established to lead visitors from the parking lot to an orientation circle, from where they will be able to continue on to the building’s main entrance, to the rear terrace, or onto a series of nature trails.  Work on the main entrance will include the expansion of an existing slate covered patio and construction of a universally-accessible ramp.  The County will also be installing a high-tech tertiary septic system to replace the outdated leaching field on the property. 

Inside, the work will include the installation of fire detection and alarm systems, and completion of the public restrooms and kitchen.  The first floor will also get a face-lift, with repaired plaster and a new coat of paint. 

The renovations are set to commence this winter and the County expects to be finished by Memorial Day.  When the “Phase Two” work is done, the building will be ready to host the public, but there will still be work to do.  Exhibits have yet to be designed and there are still necessary renovations to the second floor.