The Mary’s Lake/Prairie Park Trail project includes an accessible fishing dock, a 55-foot pre-fabricated bridge, parking lot, and over one mile of accessible pedestrian/bicycle trail. Landplan Engineering worked closely with Lawrence Parks & Recreation staff as well as Prairie Park Nature Center staff in 2001 to develop an interpretive educational setting in this existing park on Lawrence’s southeast side.

The new trails provide access to Mary’s Lake from the adjacent neighborhood, accessible natural areas and improved access to Prairie Park Elementary School. The educational experience is enhanced with interpretive signs along the west side of the trail that describe elements of the habitat and identify wildlife and signs of their presence. Animal tracks in concrete markers further encourage nature study. A small pond adjacent to the fishing dock serves as an outdoor classroom.

The asphalt trails are located at the park’s perimeter to help mitigate environmental concerns and include tubes for salamanders, frogs and other small animals to crawl beneath them.