photo by: Journal-World

Gyrfalcon, a black-footed ferret comes out of his hole for a brief moment on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, at Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper Street.

The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department will hold a community conversation next month regarding Prairie Park Nature Center.

The public discussion is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 9 at Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St. The informal discussion is meant to provide input on “the future sustainability of the nature center,” focusing on nature center programming, hours of operation and ideas to assist the nature center.

A City of Lawrence proposal to close the nature center due to budget issues was recently the subject of a protest at City Hall. Closing the center, which opened in 1999, was expected to save the city $337,000, but fans of the center turned out to put the brakes on that plan.

The nature center features habitat dioramas, educational displays and live animals, including prairie dogs, turtles, ferrets and a live bird of prey collection with eagles, owls, hawks and falcons. The center also offers a variety of programs and activities for children and adults.