The Mary’s Lake trail system includes paved and natural paths. There are four routes that include the Mary’s Lake Trail, Prairie Park Trail, Prairie Park Shortcut, which is a natural trail, and a longer Loop Trail.

These trails meander through mature trees around Mary’s Lake and through the native prairie in Lawrence Prairie Park. The trailhead is located at the nature center at 29th & Harper at the south end of the parking lot. You could also begin the trail at the Prairie Park parking lot.

The Mary’s Lake Trail is 3/8 of a mile, the Prairie Park Trail is 7/8 of a mile, the Prairie Park Shortcut is 1/8 of a mile, and the Loop Trail is 1 3/4 of a mile.

Mary’s Lake, is a seven-acre lake with a boardwalk and fishing dock, created in the 1950s. In 1991, Lawrence Parks and Recreation purchased the Mary’s Lake property and continued the development of the area. Prairie Park Nature Center was built in 1999 and natural trails from the center to the lake area and neighborhood park.

The trail around Mary’s Lake is paved and the paths in the prairie park are mowed paths on the native tallgrass prairie allow one to view the wildflowers and native grasses.

The 20-acre prairie contains plants uncommon to Kansas, including wildflowers and switch grass on this never-been-plowed land. There are informative signs along the path.

The Mary’s Lake Shortcut Trail around the lake to the marked dirt single track track which takes one through the prairie back to the nature center.

The trails are a short distance from 31st and Haskell and the Lawrence Loop, Segment 3, and would make a nice extended excursion.