Play. Pet. Dig. Discover.
Red Barn Park provides visitors with an interactive animal experience leaving them more connected to the natural world through close-up interactive experiences. There is a wide variety of animals in addition to the contact yard animals visitors have grown to love.
Prehistoric Play Park and Fossil Dig Site
In cooperation with the University of Nebraska State Museum, the Prehistoric Play Park and Fossil Dig Site is a replica of Nebraska 12 million years ago, when it was a savannah, similar to present day Africa. Kids are able to dig and uncover fossils from Nebraska using paleontologist tools just like a real fossil dig site. The Prehistoric Play Park displays life-sized prehistoric sculptures representing animals which originate in the regions fossil history.
Other Animal Exhibits
Up the hill from the Red Barn Park is the North American river otter exhibit featuring above and below water viewing, a prairie dog town, the African hunting dog exhibit and the popular Budgie Encounter exhibit, allowing visitors to walk through 400 lively, bright parakeets, cockatiels, doves and quails. The Budgie Encounter is open seasonally, weather permitting.
Animal Demonstrations Schedule*:
March 1 - April 30, October 1 - October 31
Friday - Sunday
Red Barn Yard Encounters: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
African Wild Dog Training: 3 p.m.
North American River Otter Training: 3:30 p.m.
*All demonstrations will take place, weather and staff pending.
Please
click here for exhibit hours.
Download the exhibit fact sheet.