Motoring Mondays: The Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo

*

Monkey Island is a popular exhibit at the Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence, KS

The Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo is located in Independence.
     Since the early 20th century, the Riverside Park has been an asset to the community, with amusement attractions and beautiful landscapes.
     The park also features the Ralph Mitchell Zoo, which was added to the park in 1925. It features numerous animal exhibits, most notably, Monkey Island, which was famous for being the birth place of Miss Able, the first non-communist monkey launched into space in 1959.
     It’s a great place for field trips, wedding receptions or just a fun place to go with family or friends to spend the day in nature.
     The park is open every day from 9 a.m. thru 7 p.m.


Bears can be seen at the Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence, KS

 To learn more about this historical park and zoo, visit Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo.

Motoring Monday: Riverside Park

The overlook at Riverside Park

This Motoring Monday feature is a few days early as next Monday is July 4, a state holiday.

Riverside Park is located on the northeast edge of Oswego. It is an 80-acre park along a bluff that overlooks the historic Neosho Crossing and the Neosho River. The park includes the Labette County fairgrounds, an RV park, swimming pool, ball fields, a 10,000-square foot community center, shelters, gardens, tennis courts, and an observation point with spectacular views of the Neosho River Valley from the 100-foot bluff.

 The land along the bluff was purchased for the park in about 1885 by a group of local women who raised the money to pay for it by conducting food sales and ice cream socials. Many of the structures in the current park were developed and built with the help of New Deal programs during the Great Depression. 

Riverside Park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in July 2012. For more information on the park, click here.