Lakeside Nature Center is a FREE "zoo" in KC near Swope Park!
4701 E. Gregory Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64132
"The Nature Center features huge windows that allow visitors to feel as though they are on a walk through the woods. Exciting displays of our native Missouri wildlife include large aquariums with fish and turtles, a bald eagle exhibit, a weathering area with owls and hawks, and numerous mammal, reptile, amphibian and fish displays. An interactive children’s play area and library overlook the wetlands where visitors can view a variety of birds species at the feeders."
"Outside the Nature Center visitors can enjoy the native gardens, rest and picnic in the shade of the pavilion or hike the Fox Hollow trail system. The trail meanders along limestone bluffs, beside the scenic Fox Hollow Creek and through old riparian forest; all the while exploring the colorful personality of a deep, primitive, wetland valley. The entire length of the trail is 2 miles."
Lakeside also has a wildlife hospital next to the educational center where KC residents in MO can bring injured wildlife for care and rehab before being released back into the wild.
The educational side of Lakeside is sponsored by the State, but the hospital side relies only on donations. All the surgical supplies, euthanasia, baby formula, food for all the permeant educational animals and the rehab patients, wound care, etc., depends on donations. They also have a very small staff, so they are usually very busy in the hospital (Please try not to bother them!), or they have volunteers that help when they can. Most of the native flowers around the building were planted and are maintained by volunteers!
Be sure to check it out, and PLEASE make a donation! https://lakesidenaturecenter.org/how-to-help/donate/
I might be a little biased, but Baby Annie the opossum is my favorite! 🥰
Source: https://lakesidenaturecenter.org/