A giant emerald ash borer will now greet visitors to the Anita Purves Nature Center. The sculpture, Mr. Big Beetle Finds His Way, moved from Meadowbrook Park to the nature center. Park district staff, the public and artist Janet Austin were on had for the dedication ceremony on Saturday.

Incidentally, International Sculpture Day was also on Saturday.

Austin donated the sculpture to Anita Purves Nature Center and she commented that she hoped the work of art will help educate the public on the emerald ash borer and spark interest in nature.

Urbana Park District Executive Director, Tim Bartlett, is grateful for Austin's donation. "It is extraordinary for an artist to donate such a high-quality work of art to a park district and let the park district keep it forever," he said.

For more information about the public art on display at Urbana Park District, be sure to check out our Arts and Sculpture Tour.

(Left to right, Megan Puzey, Urbana Parks Foundation President, artist Janet Austin, and Savannah Donovan, Environmental Program Manager, dedicate Mr Big Beetle Finds His Way, at Anita Purves Nature Center.)