Scarecrow Lane is back at Retzer Nature Center in Wales this year, and it brings outdoor fun that’s appropriate for all ages.
It’s a self-guided hike located on the west end of the Learning Center Building. You’ll find scarecrows uniquely decorated by local families and businesses, perched along the Blue Trail.
Scarecrow Lane is open daily from sunrise to 10:00 p.m., and there is no admission change. They will be on display through October 31st, 2023.
On your hike you will also see Retzer Pond and the Children’s Garden, filled with pumpkins, flowers, and other fall plants.
Expect woodchipped and mowed grass trails with some sloped terrain. Some heavy-duty strollers may be able to handle the terrain, but it might be better to plan on walking.
The trail is about a half mile long.
You can see a map of Scarecrow Lane here.
Retzer Nature Center has also recently renovated their Discovery Trail with expanded accessibility into nature for all ages and abilities.
The new Discovery Trail includes a variety of “Exploration Stations” for outdoor education, sensory-based play experiences, and STEM activities for families and school groups.
This multi-phase project refreshed the original ‘Adventure Trail’ with the reconstruction of the accessible path and an expanded connection to the accessible boardwalk.
Other additions include a gateway feature, a stone seat wall gathering space, exploration stations – including insect, wood, animal tracks, and eagle nest – as well as a habitat free-play area, boulder scramble, and native plant observation areas.
You can also explore “Vista Trail,” where you’ll get a good view of Waukesha, and the “Nature Trail” where there are boardwalks and babbling brooks.⠀
The nature center is home to fish, small animals, and educational materials, and the Horwitz-Deremer Planetarium.
Find out more about Scarecrow Lane and Retzer Nature Center on their website.
