General Information | Reservations | Events | Donations | Sponsorship Program | FOPNS
The Parkville Nature Sanctuary is a wildlife preserve and educational site developed and maintained by the City with the help of a group of extraordinary volunteers. It is a 115 acre natural outdoor area made accessible by nearly three miles of hiking trails. Daily operations of the sanctuary are overseen by a part-time director. Call Nature Sanctuary Director Kristen Bontrager at (816) 741-7676 with questions about the sanctuary.
The main entrance of the Parkville Nature Sanctuary is at 12th Street, south of Highway 9, at the bottom of the hill next to the Park University athletic fields.
General Information
Hours:
- Open every day, sunrise to sunset
Rules:
- NO dogs or other pets allowed on the trails
- Stay on trails
- Put trash in proper receptacles
- No unauthorized vehicles (including bicycles, skateboards, etc.)
- No fires
- No hunting, fishing, or trapping
- No picking, collecting, or digging
- No firearms
- No camping
- No weddings
Reservations
The Shelter (known as the Girl Scout Cabin) can be reserved in three-hour increments in the Nature Sanctuary. There is no vehicle access nor utilities available at the shelter. All nature sanctuary rules must be followed. Shelters can be reserved by completing the Shelter Reservation Permit below and emailing it to Nature Sanctuary Director Kristen Bontrager for approval.
2022 Events
The Parkville Nature Sanctuary hosts several annual events. Click here to view the list of events.
- Nature Day Camp (flyer)
- Week 1: June 1-3 (each session 15 attendees maximum)
- Morning session: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 6-7
- Afternoon session: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 8-9
- Week 2: June 8-10 (each session 15 attendees maximum)
- Morning session: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages 10-11
- Afternoon session: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for ages 12-13
- Week 1: June 1-3 (each session 15 attendees maximum)
- Pumpkin Carving – Thursday, October 26, 6-8 p.m. (Parkville Farmers Market)
- All ages welcome to this free event with live music from Shortleaf Band and refreshments, we will carve 200-300 pumpkins that will be used to decorate the trails of the nature sanctuary for the night of Ghost Stories.
- Ghost Stories – Saturday, October 29, 6-9 p.m.
- Trick or Treat Trail – 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Haunted Trail: 7:15 p.m.
- Music by KC Bear Fighters and spooky stories: 6:30 p.m.
- Winter Wonderland – Saturday, December 10, 1-3:30 p.m.
Donations
Check:
Checks may be made out to the Parkville Nature Sanctuary and can dropped off or mailed to:
Parkville City Hall
8880 Clark Avenue
Parkville, MO 64152
Credit Card:
Click to here to make a donation via credit card (convenience fee applied to credit card payments). Please note that this link will take you to an external payment processing page. All donations are tax deductible.
Sponsorship Program
The Parkville Nature Sanctuary Sponsorship Program was set up to enhance programming including Nature Day Camp, Pumpkin Carving and Ghost Stories. Additionally, funds may be allocated to improve our trail system and keep the sanctuary safe and fun for all.
Check:
Checks may be made out to the Parkville Nature Sanctuary and can dropped off or mailed to:
Parkville City Hall
8880 Clark Avenue
Parkville, MO 64152
Credit Card:
Click to here to make a donation via credit card (convenience fee applied to credit card payments). Please note that this link will take you to an external payment processing page. All donations are tax deductible.
2022 Volunteer Work Day Opportunities
If you are interested in participating in a volunteer work day from 9 a.m. to noon on the dates below, please contact Kristen Bontrager in advance by Thursday of that week.
Note: The minimum age for the volunteer events is 13 years old.
If you are a Scout and are looking to complete an Eagle Scout Service Project, please contact Kristen Bontrager at (816) 741-7676.
Friends of Parkville Nature Sanctuary
In 2015, the Friends of Parkville Nature Sanctuary (FOPNS) was founded as a 501(c)(3) to raise funds for projects at the Sanctuary. In the fall of 2018, the group launched its website friendsofpns.org where visitors can view projects, purchase items or make a donation.
Memorial Tree Grove
Would you like to honor the memory of a special person in your life by planting a tree in their name? The Parkville Nature Sanctuary is creating a Memorial Tree Grove where such remembrances are established. For $1,000, you can choose from a list of available native species and write the text that will be placed on a 6” x 6” cast bronze plaque that identifies your tree. Contact sanctuary director Kristen Bontrager at 741-7676 or visit the FOPNS website for more information.
Robert Fluchel Memorial Butterfly Garden Commemorative Bricks
FOPNS is selling commemorative bricks that will be placed around the Robert Fluchel Memorial Butterfly Garden at the entrance to the sanctuary. Application
