Grafton Lakes State Park occupies nearly 2,500 acres of the forested plateau between the Hudson and Taconic Valleys in the Capital Region of New York. Its six ponds and 25 miles of trails attract nature enthusiasts year-round, and a variety of outdoor education programs seek to promote interest in the environment. To expand park offerings, the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation appropriated funding for a Welcome Center that would address underserved visitor needs and expand environmental education programs.

The Welcome Center design provides educational services, exhibition spaces, information, offices, and public restrooms. The Center employs a variety of important sustainable systems including geothermal and radiant heating, solar panels, and stormwater-managing rain gardens. An educational display teaches students about these and other sustainable infrastructure systems.

The Welcome Center responds to the site in its design vocabulary, incorporating local rock outcroppings and gently floating a boardwalk over the adjacent wetlands; providing a subtle transition from focused education within the Center to broader awareness and appreciation for the surrounding environment.