Utility Park & Zoo

Utility Park & Zoo is a community-run zoo within a public park that has been maintained by the Clay Center Public Utilities Commission since the 1930s. The park developed during the Great Depression, when local residents were given opportunities to work off unpaid utility bills by helping construct the grounds. Today, the property combines the zoo with landscaped areas, walking paths, a playground, picnic areas, and distinctive stonework created during the park's early development.

The zoo began with a pair of wild ducks that became a permanent part of the park, and it has since developed into a small collection of animals. Its current animal residents include species such as black bears, lemurs, exotic birds, and other wildlife. The modest scale makes the zoo best suited to a short, casual visit that can be combined with time in the surrounding park. Its community-supported character and unusual history distinguish it from larger, professionally operated zoos, making it particularly relevant to travelers interested in local attractions with a strong connection to the town.