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Kansas Landscape Arboretum
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This shelter overlooks a small pond
on the Bird Sanctuary Trail
- All photos on this page by Jim Mason
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The Kansas Landscape Arboretum lies just south of Wakefield on the west
side of Milford Reservoir. Over 1,000 species of native and exotic woody plants adapted to
the Kansas environment are found here. The Arboretum is open daily from 8 A.M. to dusk,
March 1 to October 31. Stop at the kiosk off the Utah street entrance for a brochure.
Much of the area is left in native vegetation, and foot trails provide easy access
to both prairie and woodland habitats. |
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Although the area is managed for plant life, wildlife can also be found.
Deer are often spooked from the wooded areas during the middle of the day. Nest
boxes for eastern bluebirds have been erected to enhance viewing opportunities. The
woods attract Harris' sparrows, northern cardinals, blue jays, and several species of
woodpeckers. Approach the pond on the Bird Sanctuary Trail cautiously for an
opportunity to spot wood ducks, widgeon or green herons. From the arboretum, Milford
Reservoir is visible to the east. |
A rustic footbridge crosses
the creek feeding the pond. |
The causeway over the north end of the reservoir, just east of Wakefield, is one of the
area's best sites for wildlife viewing. Clay County Park, on the west end of the
causeway, is a good place to park while scanning the area for birds. In winter, as many as
50 bald eagles have been seen. Flocks of white pelicans are common during spring and fall.
Ducks, geese, cormorants, grebes, herons, gulls, and shorebirds are also abundant during
migrations.
 | There is a picnic area by the Schroeder Garden near the caretaker's house (east side of
Utah Road south of 5th street). |
 There are four short
trails on the Arboretum. At 1 mile, the Woodland Trail is the longest. The
Bird Sanctuary Trail circles a small pond. The Meadow Willow Trail follows a riparian
corridor and the Wild Acres Trail circles a prairie meadow.
Discover what to see, eat and do in Kansas.
Plan your trip today, at TravelKS.com!
Click the icon to find a birding list for Clay County.
Click the icon to locate nearby Geocaches
For more Wildlife Watching sites in the Flint Hills, click
here
 Directions: From K-82 in Wakefield,
turn south on Dogwood Street. Follow the signs about 1 mile to the Utah Road
entrance.
Click here
for the Corps of Engineers web page for the Arboretum. It has a very detailed
map. Clay County Park lies on the east edge of Wakefield just west of the bridge
over Milford Reservoir.
Click here for a Google Map of this site.
Ownership:
The entity responsible for management of this site is
the Kansas Landscape
Arboretum, Inc. If you have specific questions about
use or management of this site, contact them at
Kansas Landscape Arboretum, Inc.
P.O. Box 346
Wakefield, KS 67487
(785) 461-5760
193 acres
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Funded by the
Chickadee Checkoff Program
Click here for a brochure! |
The Natural
Kansas web site
© 2011
by
the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
& Tourism.
Re-publication of site content in any form other than for personal use
requires written permission. If you are a Kansas resident, please
assist with this and other wildlife viewing and conservation programs
by contributing to the Chickadee Checkoff on your state tax form. |
Questions or comments about Natural Kansas may be directed to
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
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