This article is sponsored by Wichita Park & Recreation.
Pawnee Prairie Park in southwest Wichita, located next to Eisenhower National Airport is over 400 acres of natural park land with trails for hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians.
There are dedicated paths and trails for horseback riders and bike riders, while hikers are free to roam and explore! The park is home to a variety of mammals such as deer, foxes, beavers, muskrats, raccoons, and opossums as well as over 100 species of birds.
Location: 2625 S. Tyler Rd.
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Things to Do in Pawnee Prairie Park
Visit the Butterfly Garden
The Caretakers of Pawnee Prairie Park have created a butterfly garden south of the old stables off Tyler. The concept of the butterfly garden is to attract as many butterflies as possible to improve the pollination process through the introduction of many flowering native plant species.
The butterfly garden is not an enclosed structure but is an open-air meadow enclosed by a split rail fence. This is a great garden to walk through and look for winged creatures pollinating from one flower to the next. Get up close and see nature in action inside the butterfly garden.
Bicycle Rides
Bicyclists can enjoy the new crushed concrete bike paths that extend from the Tyler Road parking lot, over to the Pawnee parking lot and up to Air Capital Park and the Prairie Sunset Trail.
Restrooms, a bicycle repair station and drinking fountain with bottle filler are available at the Tyler Road parking lot.
Hiking Trails
Walkers and hikers can use all of the trails, including the concrete sidewalk that extends from the Tyler parking lot to the Pawnee parking lot. If you bring your dog, please keep them leashed. Pet drinking bowls on both water fountains are available for thirsty canines.
Five informational kiosks are strategically located to help users find their paths, plan their route, and understand trail etiquette. Throughout the park special signage has been installed to make it easy to track your distance, share your location and see what use is allowed or prohibited where you are at.
Playground
Families will enjoy the new playground complete with a berm slide, which is accessible off the Pawnee parking lot.
The playground has a variety of age-appropriate swings, climbing rocks, and everyone’s favorite: a zip line!
Next to the playground is a great covered shelter available for rent to host your next get-together. Restrooms and a drinking fountain are nearby.
QR Fit Trail
Pawnee Prairie Park is one of three parks in the city that offers a QR Fit Trail! It is a series of signs along trails that are approximately a mile long that link to different exercise videos at each sign.
Videos demonstrate exercises you can do without any equipment in our parks. You can get outside, enjoy our parks, and be active.
You choose the workout type and experience level to provide a customized workout. The videos change weekly so you can enjoy a variety of exercises in the QR Fit Trail year around. Click here to see how it works and to view the trail map.
Wichita Park & Recreation offers a Wichita Parks Locator map at Wichita.gov/ParkandRec so you can search for a park in your area, search by amenities, and view a list of every park in Wichita!
Be sure to check out our Explore With Kids Series!
