riverside park and ralph mitchell zoo

I grew up just half a hour from Independence so this wasn't my first trip. But boy have they made some wonderful changes. The play ground in the big park is wonderful.... But I would say watch your kids close because the slides are very high and if they feel they would be hurt. The zoo is wonderful allot better than when I was a kids... more to see. I do with they would get a new elephant. As it was winter when we went the train and marry go round wasn't running but it looked as though they made improvements on them as well. Also have a mini golf now. Kiddie land had all my old favorites like the fort and the gorillas statues that you can take photo with but now they have a castle and swings to play on. My kids loved it and Me and my husband enjoyed seeing all the changes. They is a great place to take you kids!

My wife and (almost) 3 year old daughter went here over Thanksgiving weekend. Temps in the upper 60's! We are locals and try to take advantage of this mostly free attraction. I think the park still has some of the tallest metal slides around. Daddy got his workout going up the ladders and chasing "Little". People here are mostly polite and take turns where needed, children included. The zoo area is in a little need of TLC, but it's a BIG task. It's a great time for free at the park and zoo.

Riverside Park snd Ralph Mitchell Zoo are amazing attractions for a small town. Independence is very fortunate to have them. Within the complex are the zoo, park, kiddieland, miniature golf, train, carousel and fountain. Winding through perimeter of the zoo is a wonderful drive or walk the locals call the "one-way", whose entrance is found by circling around the oval open area next to the playground. Just be aware it's about a mile long. Adjacent are the tennis courts, swimming pool, stadium and 4H buildings. Within the park you will find buildings for sheltered picnics or activities,, and an open bandshell, where an old-fashioned band still performs favorite music selections during select summer evenings.The park and zoo are free. There are nominal charges for the train (.25), carousel (.05 or .10), and $1.00 per game for miniature golf. There are charges for swimming also.If you are in Independence for a day or more, make it a point to visit the park and zoo. They are within the city limits and easy to get to. You will be glad you did.

September, not really action. All is clean, but closed. The zoo is ok for young children.................................................................................

This place is top notch, especially for being a free zoo of it's size. I was absolutely astounded by the variety of animals they had and how well everything was kept up. This place will not disappoint you. Whether you are young, an adult, family trip, couples, or whatever, you will love this zoo. One of the greatest things about this place is it is nestled in the rock face hills with streams of water and trees everywhere. They have several places to sit and relax. They also have a wonderful play area with tons of animal statues for the kids (or young at heart haha) to pay on. They seemed to have a large staff taking care of all the animals. We apparently were there during feeding time, so it was fun to see all the animals out and about. You can tell all the animals get a ton of human interaction because every single last animal came out to say hi and run around. The raccoons were especially active, and even the tortoises. Hands down, this place is amazing and worth the stop, you will not be out any money at all and you will love every moment of it!

This place is great. Spacious zoo. We spent an hour or so there and still missed the Bison, camel and elk. Also, neat carousel to ride for a nickel a ride. Train was a quarter. Mini golf a dollar and the water park looks real neat, although it was already closed for the season. But, even that is like 5 or 6 dollars a day.

I went there once and none of the animals had food in their food bowl or water in their water bowls!!!

There are a choice of family attractions from the free zoo to the swimming pool and the park with 2 wonderful playgrounds, miniature train rides for .25, Merry-Go-Round .05, miniature golf, picnic tables (covered and non covered, a field for playing softball, soccer, flying kites, etc. There are places that you can walk if exercise is what you are looking for and the Lions Club has a concession stand. The wonderful old fountain is being worked on this summer but the statues around the fountain are worth walking over to see. This is a well used park every day of the week.

A free zoo small or not this was so much better than any little roadside break. Kids have animals to see and play areas. And did I mention "Free". Worth a quick stop at least.

Even though it's a free zoo, the number of animals is pathetic. Maybe that's a good thing as it seems like some of the current animals might want to be elsewhere--who knows. Not as much fun as in the old days. Nice if you want to do some walking and enjoy some of the scenery.

Nice park with more than one play area for children, as well as animals at an upper and lower level. There are more animals if you take the drive around behind the park. It is true that they don't have as many animals as they did at one time, still, for a free zoo, it is quite nice. Especially makes for a fun day with younger children. Older children love the old locomotive engine to climb on. The 5 cent carousel has been a highlight for children through the years, as well as the train that may be 25 or 50 cents. The mini golf course while not fancy, is neat because it is built representing historical information from the area. The park also has some of the finest tennis courts in the area with a covered viewing area. Many shelter houses available for group picnics. (Nice aquatic swimming pool on the premises as well). We rate it as excellent because it has more to offer than most small town parks.

The zoo is so sad. Hardly an animals anymore. If you go downstairs there is only an Eagle & you MIGHT get to see the bear. The Park is ok. The kids love the merry go round & train. All in all for a free zoo, its ok (the kids like it). The train costs .25 & the merry go round is .05 so can't complain there.

walk around park to see animals, also on week-ends train and merry-go-round is open. Also has minature golf in the area, a rose garden. play areas for young to older children. Has a concession stand. Picnic tables.

Great place, great space. Best thing I saw? The playground has not yet been infected by the "too safe to play" mindset. Big tall slides, old school climbing; and more. Worth a stop if you have kids.

An unbelievably beautiful park and zoo for any town but especially amazing for a small town. Everyone has memories of growing up here.