We took her two boys six and eight and spent about two hours at the nature center an hour outside exploring an hour inside lots to see definitely worth the trip
KNC has hundreds of acres of diverse habitat, an excellent museum with lots of interactive things that fascinate kids, a Community Supported Agriculture Farm with animals that can be visited, musical programming in the summer and many community outreach activities. We have taken many out of town guests and families there and it always pleases
Great trails for a family walk in nature, the misty atmosphere and the touch of relax sence is a great mind cleaning from the stress of the city! If you look for adventure go somewhere else, if you look for a pleasant place to peace yourself this is it!
The KNC offers a lot of outdoor walking trails, a farm to explore, a discovery center and lots of special programming. We have a membership because it is a great place to go on short walks, long picnics, special activities and camps for my daughter. My daughter just loves going to camp here and I really like that it gets her outside and active :).
When in the Kalamazoo area, this is a place to go that is not far from the city, yet allows you to get immersed in the great outdoors. The fourteen trails found here of varying lengths give hikers walking at their own pace a chance to experience the sights and sounds of nature among a variety of land forms. Some trails pass by streams or ponds or a large river. One trail passes through a tunnel under a railroad track while another passes through a tunnel under a road. Each season offers a different experience here as with the spring wildflowers, the summer prairies, the fall leaf colors, and the winter tree silhouettes, along with the changing bird, animal, and butterfly behaviors, for examples. Staff-guided walks are often scheduled, and there is a lot of information given within the hour or so. While I am partial to the outdoor sights and sounds, inside the Interpretive Center there is a large variety of things to see and do, also. The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail comes by the Nature Center entrance for those that wish to bike here. The daily entrance fee is reasonable, but an annual membership is worthwhile if one anticipates coming here more than four times per year, allowing no-charge admissions and discounts on other programs, as well as the bi-monthly newsletter/calendar of events. This is not a recreation park nor a zoo, but a large area protected from the ever-growing urban sprawl where one can experience and learn about nature without distractions.
This is just a great thing to have in any community. The Nature Center is convenient and has many activities to enjoy. A way to get a breath of fresh air.
Fantastic family place- walking trails, a nice path through a tunnel to ovelook the Kalamazoo river, nature center with indoor exhibits, fish tanks, and recovering big birds-owls and hawks.
We love the Nature Center in that it has well kept up great trails to run. The trail locations are always well marked as well.
Located in an area north and east of Kalamazoo that is particularly diverse in terms of nature. There are dozens of bird species (we've spotted owls, hawks, and many others), mammals ranging from deer to foxes, and hundreds of different plants. As an added bonus it's really beautiful.
The kalamazoo nature center is an awesome place to visit! There is miles of really nice walking and hiking trails in the great outdoors. The park is very clean and is well kept. Definitely come prepared to spend a good amount of time because there is a lot to see and explore. The trails have different difficulty ratings and designated on the map. They also tell you where you might see various wildlife. Great place for a walk and to get away from the city. The walk down to the kalamazoo river is really pretty and the time I went there was a bald eagle perched in a tree over the river.I love the feeling of walking through the trails and having the peace and solitude you find here and it is very relaxing.