Modernization Accents Highlight Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Restroom with Scranton Products^® Aria Partitions^®

The Background

Headquartered within the lush, deeply-forested Berkshires, Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, Massachusetts has dedicated itself to protecting wildlife while connecting with nature, and preserving and expanding the state’s vast, open spaces.

“Founded by two women who fought for the protection of birds in 1896, Mass Audubon is focused firmly on the greatest challenges facing the environment today — the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature and climate change,” said Becky Cushing Gop, Mass Audubon’s Regional Director. “Much of this is achieved through the aid of nearly 150,000 members and supporters and the tens of thousands, who participate in our nationally-recognized education programs and visit annually to enjoy our spectacular hiking trails, meadows, wetlands and wildlife.”

The Work Begins

To further this initiative and attract even greater participation, Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary recently completed its Opening Doors to Nature campaign designed to make the organization’s18th-century Program Barn and sanctuary overall “more accessible and welcoming to people of all abilities.” The $1.125 million renovation involved a new visitor lobby, outdoor decks, small kitchen, metal roofing, and modern, “gender-neutral, fully-accessible and family-friendly” restrooms.

“As a vital community resource and the hub of the sanctuary’s programming activities, the new addition will attract more visitors, spur scientific curiosity and lay the foundation for future expansions,” explained Jefferey Manley, a project architect at j hardwood architect (JHA) in Lenox, MA. “This involved the specification of a variety of modern amenities that greatly enhanced the privacy, comfort and recreational experience of every member and visitor.”

Included within this modernization package were Scranton Products Aria Partitions, which were used in the men and women’s restrooms in the new barn addition. “The full-length Aria partitions are ideal for installations requiring complete privacy,” said Gregg Lewis at Building Specialties Architectural Hardware in Agawam. MA. “They look great year after year and are extremely easy to clean and wear well in high traffic,” he added. “They are becoming increasing popular for demanding, upscale applications where style and longevity are essential for driving the ongoing participation of patrons.”

It’s All in the Details

Made of durable HDPE for commercial environments, the Aria Partitions product line was designed by Scranton Products to add an enhanced level of comfort and privacy as well as elegance, warmth and charm to virtually any enclosed room. This reduces sightlines with a continuous edge-mounted hinge, while greatly improving aesthetics with a design that does not use face-mounted hinges like traditional bathroom partition systems.

With a new world view of health and safety, Scranton Products Aria Partitions are also naturally germ-resistant and easy to clean. This especially important in a secluded, public environment like the park setting. Unlike metal partitions which are subject to rust and harbor germs, they offer superior resistance to impact, graffiti, corrosion, mildew, bacteria and moisture.

“Another benefit is the wide selection of style options that easily fit into nearly any design,” added Manley. “We chose the Aria Partitions in shale color to accent each restroom’s earthy tones and create total private stalls that also have their own lighting and exhaust fans. Our goal is to provide a real destination point for anyone who visits.”

Available with 17 innovative door designs, 7 panel designs and 28 rich colors and textures, Verdon selected Aria Partitions with engraved door and side panels to complete the look and feel of both the men’s and women’s restrooms. This included 6 separate stalls, which blended seamlessly with each bathroom’s dark blue wall tiles, dark gray flooring and cabinetry, stainless steel fixtures and white quartz countertops.

Nature and Nurture

“As Berkshire residents and tourists spend increasingly more time in nature, it is essential that our sanctuary welcomes and accommodates the diverse needs of visitors,” concluded Cushing Gop. “Our new privacy restroom stalls are perfect examples of our ongoing efforts to meet the growing visitation and program needs of our partners, members and sponsors. We are dedicated to providing the optimal experience to everyone looking to immerse themselves in our mission and the spectacular beauty of our sanctuary.”

To learn more about Scranton Products Aria Partitions please visit www.scrantonproducts.com or call 800-445-5148.