George Owens Nature Park — Attraction in Independence

It is now 7:22 p.m. and I showed up here at 7:02 p.m. When I first showed up the whole parking lot was filled up so I had to come back a little later. I'm a Traveling Photographer that drove out here just to see this place. When I arrived an elderly lady instantly stopped me asking me if I knew this place closed 8? I replied yes then she asked me if I needed to use the bathroom or something??? I told her no and she said again "we do close the gates at 8:00 p.m.!!" Mind you it was 7:03 now. So, I only walked halfway down to the lake and saw several people down there and then I came right back up. She saw me and started her car like she was waiting just for me?? There was 4 other vehicles in the lot though.... I felt so uncomfortable that I didn't take any pictures and just wanted to go. When I got into my car she was watching me so I picked up my phone and started making this review. She suddenly moved her car to where I could only see her watching me through her rearview mirror😒 This was absolutely beyond comprehension and unnecessary!!! Suddenly 1 of the couples appeared and she moved her car back to a different spot now staring at me again. If I had showed up at 7:45 I could see this but I didn't and there was several people still down in the park. It doesn't matter what it was honestly!! I have a website that's seen worldwide and this place was important to me to photograph. I have traveled 42 states and have never been treated like this at any park or reserve!! This definitely was heartbreaking🙏 Stay...

Excellent place to visit. Fun for the entire family. From now to the end of the month they are doing a fun thing for kids. You follow the clues and trails complete the Gingerbread House (not actual gingerbread). I didn't actually get to do this one this time as I was pressed for time. However it is well worth the while plus, now this part you'll have to verify, but with a purchase of a take home House kit or a donation (I believe it's the kit) you're donating to Habitat for Humanities. Now one thing I'm crystal clear on is visiting this Park, their trails, and both their information centers will be worth the trip no matter where you're coming from. One more great thing to know about this wonderful place is they strive to make it a fun place for both kids and adults alike. Plus you'll want to check them out steadily throughout the year as they generally try to plan seasonal as well as theme planned fun...

I ran these woods and beyond, during the late 1960's early 70's; I was a Highleah latchkey kid, and this entire area was us kids natural playground. It was not a park then; the entire area surrounding the townhouses was all woods (w/ small farms & Bridger Jr.), and so there were deer and beaver galore; far more wildlife and wilderness than remains today, with urban sprawl consuming almost the entire area. But I am thankful that a tiny part of what was my childhood wonderland, has been preserved in this park. I go there now and then to meditate; as a naturalist it is a necessary part of my lifestyle. It is safe and well maintained, but the natural world is dwindling rapidly; looked upon by kids nowadays who must view nature and wildlife in display cases, with no real personal engagement with nature, like what we had back then. This property is that last stand;...