Prairie Park Nature Center on Saturday celebrated 25 years of preserving local wildlife and native species in Lawrence.
The center’s birds, reptiles and other animal friends came out to play during the free community celebration.
People in attendance caught and tagged monarch butterflies, enjoyed shaved ice, and other crafts and learning activities ensued outside. At one station, Haskell Indian Nations University students led corn husk doll-making.
Inside the center, visitors popped around to see turtles, fish, birds of prey and more.
Kicking off the festivities Saturday was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new pavilion that’s among native prairie behind the center. Students in a University of Kansas architecture class designed the outdoor classroom and community space, and it was built almost entirely out of old road signs and other repurposed materials. (Read more in this article.)
Prairie Park Nature Center is located at 2730 Harper St. with hours of operation set at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. The park is always open to the public.
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Maya Hodison (she/her) reported with The Lawrence Times from July 2021 through January 2026. Born and raised in Lawrence, she enjoys focusing on issues that people in marginalized communities face and amplifying voices that are oftentimes unvalued. Read more of her work for the Times here.
Molly Adams (she/her), photo editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2022. She can be reached at molly@lawrencekstimes.com.
Check out more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
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