lilly nature center

The City of West Lafayette thoughtfully preserved this wetland area and developed a low-impact park that decks to allow you to observe birds, hike through the woods, and ride your bike via a connective trail system. The interpretive center is small but very well planned. Parking is rarely a problem. One of the more unique recreational facilities in the Lafayette area.

Lots of nice trails all over the place leading to and around the bog, and the inside is nice as well.

This is a really neat little center. I could sit and watch and listen to the birds for hours!!! I loved being able to watch the birds without bothering them through the window that I could see them but they couldn't see me. The added microphone so I could hear them was perfect!!!!

We were looking for a relaxing activity on the weekend. Couple and young adult child was not an option for this review. We drove into the area surrounding the center, the center was a surprise. What a well done center! The displays are quite good for all ages and the bird viewing area perfect for our day. Seating is available, microphones are strategically placed outside, as are bird feeders. The birds love this location as do we! We spent quite a bit of time birdwatching form this area. Materials are available to help identify the birds. Bring your camera, photo ops are plentiful!

Purdue, as a land-grant college seems surrounded by corn- and soy beanfields or nationally ranked agricultural research test plots, however Lilly Nature Center invites those interested in the land long before farming, from the road turnoff to the parking lot to the winding driveway near a retirement home for professors, to the two small black iron statuary of frogging children near the entrance. My dog and I visited this little bit of woods close to Purdue campus many times throughout the year, from rainy days, to sunny, from snowy days to muggy and all sorts of days between. A paved trail for bike riders, and strollers winds its way from the small museum along the roadside over the bog past raspberry bushes and wild roses, to wild apple trees. Unfortunately, shortsighted Purdue golfers cleared downed trees and bog grasses along the far shore of the small lake on the golfing greens side, removing waterfowl nesting areas at that side of the Celery Bog, disturbing the natural habitat of pipers, cranes, turtles, blue herons, and other critters. However, the cozy Nature Center itself provides a starting point in understanding the geological history of the area. In the nature center there are mini displays and a reading and craft area for children of the flora and fauna. There is a wide window for bird observation with hummingbird feeders and amplifiers to listen to the conversations near the suet block. There are other trails along the main bog pond and other boggy areas. With plenty of trash cans, a small viewing area with seats, and a paved trail, it's mostly for activities like walking, strolling, jogging and biking, but there is a large parking area and as it is heavily visited, the trails are generally clear and convenient.

If you're expecting a nature center that rivals a major state park (e.g., Turkey Run) you'll be somewhat disappointed. But for a nature center in a city park it is pretty impressive. A really nice spot along the walking/biking trails in West Lafayette that is a short walk from the Celery Bog. My daughter's favorite part was watching the birds at the bird feeder.

Many different birds, and other wildlife. The paths wind around the large bogs. People jog through there, and there is an informative "museum" that gives information about the history of the area and the wildlife. Pretty cool!

We like to bike with the family and bring a snack to eat on the back deck. While it is not a large space, it is very welcoming and relaxing to sit and watch the birds.