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Creatures of the Night Presentation
About the Nature Center
Prairie Park Nature Center opened in 1999 as a 100-acre nature preserve on the east side of Lawrence. The preserve incorporates wetlands, woodlands and prairie habitats and a five-acre lake.
Visitors may see a wide variety of native Kansas wildlife on the property including beavers, deer, bobcats and birds of prey.
The nature center preserve and education building are operated by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department and funded by City of Lawrence sales tax revenue.
Prairie Park offers walking trails for bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts as well as educational programs to the public, schools and local groups.
The education building features natural habitat dioramas, displays and live animals, including a live bird of prey collection with eagles, owls, hawks and falcons.
The nature center conducts a wide variety of environmental and recreation programs for the public, schools, scouts, adults, and other groups.
Visit Us
2730 Harper St.Lawrence, KS 66046
(785) 832-7980
HOURS
Monday
Closed
Tuesday-Saturday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Mary’s Lake
Mary’s Lake is just a short walk from the education building and is open for public fishing. This lake participates in State Community Lakes Fishing Program and is stocked with fish by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism throughout the spring and summer.
A state fishing license is required for people ages 16 to 65. Limits are posted at the lake.
View the Map of Trails at Prairie Park Nature Center»
Directions
Prairie Park Nature Center is located on the east side of Lawrence. Find us in the neighborhood via 27th Street off of Haskell Avenue.
Group Visitation Policy
Visiting groups from other facilities or organizations of 8 or more people (including children) who have not booked a program should schedule their visits in advance. This will insure that their visit does not overlap with other scheduled groups or large programs.
This will assist the nature center staff in making sure that all visitors have a good experience.
The nature center reserves the right to ask unscheduled groups to delay their visit if the building is busy.
Groups may schedule their visit by phone or email: 785-832-7980 or mbirrell@lawrenceks.org
Our Mission
Dedicated To Building Connections With Nature
The mission of the Prairie Park Nature Center is to promote an appreciation of the importance of conserving the natural world through hands-on environmental and conservation education.
The nature center is free to all visitors.