PG&E and local company give Fresno's Discovery Center a much needed sprucing up

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno's Discovery Center is getting some much-needed TLC. PG&E and Trees Inc. have partnered to revamp the landscape throughout the six-acre facility.

At Fresno's Discovery Center guests are encouraged to take in the sights. Whether you're pollywog fishing in Walden Pond, viewing the tortoise pen, or running through the meadow you're sure to notice the picturesque setting. "Discovery Center, in my mind, is like your backyard-- where you have all the fun things to do and you can run around and see nature in action," said Gary Pigg, Discovery Center Board President.

PG&E and Trees Inc. crews teamed up for the day to beautify, and more importantly, preserve Fresno's hidden gem. "We know that the Discovery Center is a big part of Fresno-- it has been for many years," said Evelyn Escalera, PG&E representative.

The six-acre facility first opened in 1954. According to board president Gary Pigg, the non-profit reached out to PG&E and Trees Inc. to assist in maintaining more than a dozen trees that shade the walkways. "There's quite a few, after the couple years of drought we've had, that the weaknesses are starting to show up. We have a lot of dead limbs and safety issues."

So the partners stepped up to help out. "Due to the lack of maintenance and the drought, it became a safety concern for the employees," said Escalera.

Sticking with the center's focus of providing an environment to learn, they plan to teach park visitors about line friendly trees. Planting several trees that won't grow higher than 20 feet. "We pride ourselves in being a part of our community, and helping whenever possible," said Escalera.

You can check out the discovery center's new look seven days a week. They're open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.