Pioneer Park Nature Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, stands as a unique sanctuary where nature and history converge. This cherished destination offers an escape into diverse ecosystems and a journey through time with its blend of modern and historic structures, captivating gardens, and engaging natural play areas. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a family seeking outdoor adventures, or an educator looking for enriching experiences, Pioneer Park Nature Center provides a wealth of opportunities to explore and appreciate the natural world right in the heart of Lincoln.
Explore Modern Marvels at Pioneer Park Nature Center
The nature center boasts several modern buildings designed to immerse visitors in different aspects of Nebraska’s ecology.
Chet Ager Building: Wetlands and Woodlands Unveiled
The Chet Ager Building serves as an insightful gateway to the wetlands and woodlands prevalent in the region, including the distinctive saline wetlands of eastern Nebraska. Inside, exhibits detail the intricate ecosystems, while expansive windows offer breathtaking views of Heron Pond. This picturesque setting is further enhanced by a meticulously maintained garden just outside, thoughtfully planted with feeders and water features to attract a vibrant array of bird species. Adjacent to the building, visitors can discover the fragrant Louise Evans Doole Herb Garden and the delightful Children’s Garden, making this area a hub of sensory and educational experiences.
Prairie Building: A Testament to Green Innovation and Prairie Life
Dedicated to the plants and animals of the Great Plains and prairie ecosystems, the Prairie Building is an exhibit in itself. This structure exemplifies sustainable design, incorporating numerous green building features. Constructed with straw bales, it utilizes geo-thermal heating and air conditioning, and incorporates recycled and low VOC materials. Its green roof further underscores its commitment to environmental stewardship. Notably, the Prairie Building was the first in Lincoln to achieve LEED certification, setting a benchmark for eco-conscious construction. Surrounding the building, a labeled demonstration garden showcases a variety of prairie plants, extending the learning experience outdoors.
Inside the Prairie Building, visitors will find:
- Over 1,000 square feet of engaging exhibit space, featuring live animal displays.
- Convenient public restrooms and a drinking fountain.
- Classrooms designed for the Nature Preschool program.
- Administrative offices for the Nature Center.
- A Gift Shop stocked with snacks and a wide selection of nature-themed items, including books, field guides, note cards, and educational toys.
- The Malinovskis Auditorium, a versatile space available for rent.
Malinovskis Auditorium: Rentable Space with a Natural View
The Malinovskis Auditorium offers a unique and tranquil setting for meetings and events. Its flexible layout and natural surroundings, overlooking a serene pond and prairie, make it an ideal rental space. Perfect for business meetings, club gatherings, lectures, training seminars, workshops, retreats, birthdays, and anniversaries, the auditorium can accommodate 80 guests in auditorium-style seating or 60 at tables. The rental includes tables, chairs, sound and video equipment, as well as a kitchenette and coffee urns for refreshments. Two doors open onto a spacious deck, extending the usable area and offering direct access to the prairie trailhead. For reservations, please contact 402-441-7895.
Lynn Johnson Nature Education Building: A Hub for Learning
The Lynn Johnson Nature Education Building, completed in 2020, serves as a dedicated learning laboratory. It provides an interactive space for students and program participants to connect with and study the outdoors. This valuable addition was made possible through funding secured by the Lincoln Parks Foundation, with significant contributions from the Thelma and Hugo Aspegren Trust and the Mildred Barret estate. Please note that this building is not open to the general public.
Step Back in Time with Historic Buildings
Pioneer Park Nature Center also preserves pieces of local history with its historic buildings, offering a glimpse into Nebraska’s past.
Cunningham School: Experience 19th-Century School Days
The Cunningham School, originally Saunders County District 113, transports visitors back to a simpler time. Originally located near Valparaiso, Nebraska, the current building, dating back to the 1930s after a fire destroyed the original 1800s structure, includes later additions like a coat room and supply room. Retired from use in 1968, it was moved to the Nature Center in 2009 after serving time at the State Fair’s Heritage Village. During the school year, the Cunningham School comes alive as area 4th graders participate in a unique living history program, spending a day experiencing education as it was in the late 1800s. Perched on a hill overlooking the Martin Prairie, the schoolhouse is typically open to the public only during special events, making those occasions a unique opportunity to step inside.
Hudson Cabin: A Pioneer Home Preserved
The Hudson Cabin tells a remarkable story of early Lincoln settlement. Built by Thomas Jefferson Hudson starting in 1863, this log cabin was once considered the “largest and grandest house” in the Lancaster (now Lincoln) area. Its construction involved oak logs from Germantown and even wood shingles, a luxury at the time, from across the Missouri River. Over the years, the cabin was incorporated into a larger home, effectively “buried” until its rediscovery during a 1964 remodeling project. Saved from demolition by then-Mayor Dean Peterson, the cabin was eventually reconstructed at the fairgrounds’ Heritage Village before finding its permanent home at Pioneers Park Nature Center in 2010. The Hudson Cabin now plays a key role in the 4th-grade Prairie Immersion hikes, giving students a tangible sense of the scale of early pioneer homes – surprisingly compact at just 14 x 16 feet. Like the Cunningham School, the Hudson Cabin is primarily open during special events.
Immerse Yourself in Themed Gardens
The gardens at Pioneer Park Nature Center are thoughtfully designed to showcase the beauty and adaptability of prairie plants. Many of the featured plants are drought-tolerant, offering inspiration for home gardeners. Informative labels throughout the gardens help visitors identify plants they might encounter in the wider prairie landscape.
Louise Evans Doole Herb Garden: Aromatic and Educational
Established in 1972 and located north of the Chet Ager Building, the Louise Evans Doole Herb Garden honors Mrs. Doole, a prominent editor of The Nebraska Farmer and author of herb books. A comprehensive renovation in 2003, funded by the Doole family and a Greenspace Initiative Grant, transformed the garden into a display of over 150 herb varieties, significantly expanded from its original 16. Many plants are labeled for easy identification, enhancing the garden’s educational value. Dedicated staff and volunteers ensure the garden remains a well-maintained and fragrant delight.
Irene and George Alexander Bird Garden: A Haven for Wildlife
West of the Chet Ager Building, the Irene and George Alexander Bird Garden, created in 2012, serves as both a bird sanctuary and a model backyard wildlife habitat. Filled with feeders, a water feature, and a diverse selection of flowering plants and shrubs, it’s designed to attract a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. Visitors can enjoy views of the garden from inside the Chet Ager Building or from the surrounding bird blind, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching and nature photography.
The Children’s Garden: Hands-on Learning and Growth
The Children’s Garden provides a raised-bed vegetable and flower garden actively cultivated by children participating in Nature Center programs. This interactive garden allows children to develop motor skills while learning about plant life cycles firsthand. It’s a welcoming space for everyone, inviting both adults and children to explore and appreciate the wonders of growing plants.
Discover Natural Play and Exploration
Edna Shields Natural Play Area: Unleash Imagination in Nature
The Edna Shields Natural Play Area invites visitors of all ages to engage in unstructured play within a natural environment. Here, you can play in the dirt, construct art from sticks and pods, crawl through logs, dig in the sand, and build forts – fostering creativity, experiential learning, and a sense of wonder. Research underscores the vital role of unstructured play in natural settings for children’s development. Benches are available for parents to relax while children immerse themselves in crafting their own adventures using the natural materials around them.
Pioneer Park Nature Center in Lincoln, NE, offers a rich tapestry of experiences for anyone seeking to connect with nature and history. From modern, eco-conscious buildings showcasing diverse ecosystems to historic structures that tell stories of the past, and from themed gardens to natural play areas, the center provides endless opportunities for education, recreation, and appreciation of the natural world. Plan your visit today and discover the many wonders that await!
