Conrad & Viola McGrew Nature Preserve
4600 West 15th StreetHISTORY
This park was created in 1986 and serves as a 15-acre buffer area between a research park and
a residential area. The McGrew Nature Preserve is one of Lawrence's greenbelt
areas and is one of the three Lawrence parks donated by John McGrew. It is named after his parents,
Conrad and Viola.
John McGrew, owner of McGrew Real Estate, generously donated the McGrew Nature Preserve and
the 1997 donation of the 18-acre Kanza Southwind Nature Preserve, Bluestem and Inverness drives,
and the 2006 donation of the Pat Dawson Billings Nature Area, southwest of 27th Street and
Crossgate Drive.
Description of Park
Near Inverness Drive and Bob Billings Parkway, this natural area houses fifteen acres of hard
surface trail.
The amenities of the park include:
- Hard-Surfaced trail
- Natural areas
Shelters
There are no shelters located in the McGrew Nature Preserve.
Reservations for outdoor shelters and indoor facilities are taken at any of the
community recreation centers including the Community Building, 115 West 11th St.;
East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 East 15th St.; Holcom Park Recreation Center,
2700 West 27th St.; Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center,
4706 Overland Drive and South Park Recreation Center, 1141 Massachusetts St.
See our shelter rentals page
for more information on renting these facilites or call 832-7920.
