photo by: Mike Yoder

Children get an up close and personal visit with Jenny the turkey during Turkey Time Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, at Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St.

The Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department has opened a survey online so the public can provide input on the sustainability of Prairie Park Nature Center.

The survey was given to those who attended a community conversation over the weekend at Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St. The department is now providing the survey online as well. To take the survey, visit lawrenceks.org/lprd/survey1/. Paper copies of the survey are also available at all Parks and Rec facilities.

The survey asks a variety of questions such as how often respondents visit the center, what their favorite feature is, what kind of activities they would like to see there and how much they might be willing to pay to visit it.

The community conversation on Sunday was a chance to gather the public’s input on options regarding nature center programming, hours of operation and other ideas regarding sustainability of the center.

A City of Lawrence proposal to close the 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.