The center, opened in the 1980s as headquarters for the much touted
Gardner Heritage State Park, was closed when the budget for the state Department of Conservation and Recreation was cut.
Bastien was a proponent of reopening the building and helped get the state to budget $100,000 toward reopening what was once the main office and museum for
Gardner Heritage State Park, which also includes Dunn Park.
The visitor center was built in the early 1980s as one of two parts of
Gardner Heritage State Park. It was housed in the renovated former Lake Street Fire Station, which was built in the 1800s.
Over the years, GALA has been a sponsor and participant in events organized by the
Gardner Heritage State Park, the Gardner Museum and a Visiting Nurses Association fundraiser.
GARDNER - Last summer, for the first time in eight years and with much fanfare, the
Gardner Heritage State Park visitors center reopened.