Clay Center Zoo
Clay Center, KS
- Admission
- Free
- Accreditation
- None listed
not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Everything below is directory information drawn from public sources and the zoo's own site.
Animals at Clay Center Zoo
We haven't confirmed this zoo's animal list yet.
Feathers & Fangs from visitors
What people who've been to Clay Center Zoo say
A Feather is something this zoo does well; a Fang is something it gets wrong. Left by people who've been, and read by us before they appear.
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About Clay Center Zoo
The Clay Center Zoo, listed on the Clay Center Public Utilities Commission website as the Public Utilities Zoo, is a small zoo within Utility Park in Clay Center, Kansas. Clay Center is the county seat of Clay County. The zoo is at 4th Street and Pomeroy Street and is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The utilities website says Utility Park and the Zoo has been a favorite family entertainment spot for many generations. According to the commission, the park is supported and operated entirely by the Public Utilities Commission as a gift to the citizens of Clay Center, with no taxpayer dollars or mill levies spent on it.
History
According to the Public Utilities Commission, the zoo began with a pair of wild ducks that were tamed early in the park's history. The ducks lived along the water stream in the park and remained from year to year, hatching young to maintain their small flock.
The park itself dates to the Depression era. The commission's page says that during the 1930s, when many residents could not pay their water and light bills, the commission gave those customers the opportunity to work off their bills at the proposed park site instead of disconnecting them. The natural stone walls along 4th Street were built entirely by those workers. The park officially opened in 1933 with an ice cream social and band concert. In 1934 the City Beautiful Committee entered Utility Park in a national contest sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, and the park won The More Beautiful America Award; a plaque in the park commemorates it.
A fountain was installed in 1936, and acreage for picnic areas was added in 1960. In 1963 the Kiddie Corral with playground equipment was added, and the gazebo was designed and built by Power Plant employees in 1980. More acreage was later added west of the zoo for walking paths.
Exhibits and habitats
The commission's zoo page names only the ducks. The commission's Zoo and Park Photo Gallery includes photographs labeled bear, bird, and monkey, along with the zoo entrance and park scenes. The park also has walking paths, picnic areas, and playground equipment.
Planning your visit
As listed on the commission's website, the zoo is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.
The Public Utilities Commission office is at 427 Court in Clay Center, and its phone number is listed as 785-632-2137.
What we haven't confirmed
Everything above came from public sources. These specifics we haven't stood behind yet:
- Current list of animals on exhibit
- Parking
- Restroom and accessibility details
Clay Center Zoo compared with nearby zoos
How Clay Center Zoo lines up against the closest zoos we have details for — useful if you're deciding between them for the same day out.
| Zoo | Distance | Admission | Hours | Size | AZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Center ZooThis zooClay Center, KS | — | Free | Monday–Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. | — | No |
| Sunset ZooManhattan, KS | 32 mi | $11 | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM | — | Yes |
| Rolling Hills ZooSalina, KS | 50 mi | $16 | Open 7 days a week. Peak season 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; off-season 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (switches with daylight saving time). Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. | — | Yes |
| Topeka ZooTopeka, KS | 78 mi | $10 | 9am – 3pm | — | Yes |
Distances are straight-line. A dash means we haven't confirmed that detail yet, not that the zoo lacks it.
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Clay Center Zoo: common questions
Is the Clay Center Zoo free?
Yes. The Public Utilities Commission lists admission as free.
Who runs the zoo?
The Clay Center Public Utilities Commission, which also manages Utility Park.
When did the park open?
The park officially opened in 1933, according to the commission.
How did the zoo start?
The commission says it began with a pair of tamed wild ducks.
Is it AZA accredited?
No.
Something wrong here? Tell us — we correct in place, with a dated note.