Olathe Prairie Center

Olathe Prairie Center Alert

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – a rapidly spreading viral disease that can infect birds – has been detected in Kansas. If you encounter a sick, injured or abandoned bird, please contact your local KDWP office first to discuss the safest option(s) prior to handling the bird. For details, visit https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/division-of-animal-health/animal-diseases/avian-influenza

In just five minutes from downtown Olathe (26325 West 135th Street) you can renew yourself in a haven where the air is fresh and the wildflowers flourish. The Prairie Center is a 300-acre tallgrass preserve and education site with trails winding through remnant and reestablished prairie and riparian woodlands. Most of the eight ponds on the property serve as intermittent wetlands for wildlife. There is a small lake for fishing and water studies. A bedrock creek provides exploration of aquatic life as well as a look back in time through the fossil remains embedded in the limestone creek bed.

Many of the native prairies, which once blanketed North America, have disappeared. At the Prairie Center you will see, in mid-summer, native grasses taller than your living room ceiling. The primary goal of the Prairie Center is to serve as a preserve for local flora and fauna. There are no public buildings, and public access is restricted to trails and a few gathering areas. No horses, bicycles or, motorized vehicles are allowed. Pit toilets are available. The Prairie Center is open to the public from dawn to dusk seven days a week for trail walking or for fishing in the lake.

A secondary goal is to provide maximum educational opportunities for the public. Most of the programs are educator led with supplies provided by the Prairie Center. One such opportunity is the Stations Programming where students rotate through ten stations with specific topic studies on mammals, soil, water quality, macro invertebrate exploration, birds and reptiles and amphibians. Other educational programming is also available. The emphasis is to tailor a program to fit your needs. 

Phone:
Address:
26325 W 135th
Olathe,KS    66061
County/Counties:

Jeff Bender
Region 2 Office
785-273-6740

- Updated: 12/31/1969

General Information
Phone:
Address:
26325 W 135th
 
Olathe, KS    66061
County/Counties:

Jeff Bender
Region 2 Office
785-273-6740


Prairie Center Photos
Satellite Reference Center

For assistance with resource library items in the KC metro area: Johnson, Wyandotte, Leavenworth, Douglas, and Miami counties please contact:

Amy Bousman

Kansas City District Office 8304 Hedge Lane Terrace Shawnee, KS 66227 913-209-0207 or amy.bousman@ks.gov 

Archery Range

Prairie Center Archery Range

Prairie Center Archery Range

Open dawn to dusk seven days a week, shooters can enjoy a static range, two walk back ranges and an elevated shooting area.  All bows are allowed, however high powered bows, such as crossbows, may benefit from bringing your own target, stands are available. The Range is Free!