Pioneers Park Nature Center
A facility of Lincoln Parks and Recreation, Pioneers Park Nature Center is a 668 acre wildlife refuge with prairie, wetlands, woodlands, ponds and a stream. Located at the west end of Pioneers Park, it has over 8 miles of hiking trails, two interpretive buildings with hands-on and small animal exhibits, children’s, herb and prairie gardens, and outdoor animal exhibits including bison, elk and white-tailed deer herds, owls, hawks, a bald eagle, vultures, and wild turkeys.
Guided Hikes, Journeys and Other Programming
Naturalist-led hikes are offered for scouts. Register at least two weeks in advance. Nature Center teacher/naturalists will help your group complete a Try-It, Badge, or Journey in one morning or afternoon. In addition, several offerings for the general public may be of interest, including fall hayrack rides, several Halloween events, and primitive skills classes (shelter, rope, fire).
Who: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors
When: Open daily except major holidays. Call for hours. Scout programming is usually held on Saturdays.
Cost: Fees are based on the length of the program. Call 402.441.7895 for more information or to be put on our scout email list. Pre-payment for programs is required.
Capacity: Minimum 10, Maximum 70
Where: Pioneers Park Nature Center, 3201 S. Coddington Ave., Lincoln (west end of Pioneers Park).
Recognitions: Brownie Try-Its: Earth and Sky, Eco-Explorer, Watching Wildlife, Outdoor Adventure, Water Everywhere; Junior Badges: Earth Connections, Eco-Action, Water Wonders, Wildlife; Journeys: WOW (Wonders of Water), Between Earth and Sky, Breathe, Get Moving, Daisy Flower Garden, Sow What?
Register: Register by calling 402-441.7895.
Chaperones: Refer to Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Refunds: 72 hour notification required. There is a $5 charge to process refunds.
Questions: Sally Gaines McKee at 402.441.3826 or sgainesmckee@lincoln.ne.gov
Notes: Check out our website at parks.lincoln.ne.gov/naturecenter for more information.
Click here to visit the Pioneers Park Nature Center’s website.