# Wehr Nature Center - Autumn Woodlands, Mallard Lake Boardwalk & Family Trails

> Place to go for families in the Milwaukee–Waukesha area (WI). Times are Central Time.

- When: Open on its own schedule
- Dates: Starts Sat, Nov 28
- Where: Wehr Nature Center & Whitnall Park, 9701 W College Ave, Franklin, WI 53132
- Ages: All ages (Nature play area and touch tables for toddlers and youth)
- Price: Free trail admission; $5 per vehicle parking fee supports Milwaukee County Parks
- Organizer: Friends of Wehr Nature Center & Milwaukee County Parks
- Official page: https://www.friendsofwehr.org/
- Last checked: Thu, Nov 5

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/milwaukee/activities/wehr-nature-center-autumn-woodlands-mallard-lake-boardwalk-and-family--listing-50fde8e64d56065376a69be0

## About

Tucked inside southwestern Milwaukee County's Whitnall Park in Franklin, Wehr Nature Center preserves 220 acres of protected wetlands, oak savannas, mature beech forests, and prairie habitats. During Thanksgiving weekend, families can wander along five miles of well-marked walking trails, including the accessible Mallard Lake wooden boardwalk where children can watch migrating waterfowl, wild turkeys, and turtles basking in the midday sun. The nature center building houses live native snake and turtle habitats, interactive touch tables with deer antlers and tree cookies, and an indoor honeybee hive observatory that captivates young scientists.

Family Experience & Accessibility:
• Stroller Accessibility: Fully accessible crushed gravel trails and raised wooden boardwalks encircle Mallard Lake and connect directly to the nature center.
• Nursing & Rest Spots: Clean family restrooms with changing stations inside the nature center, plus scenic wooden benches along lake overlooks.
• Age Suitability: Perfect for all ages from curious toddlers to active elementary schoolers and grandparents.
• Sensory Tips: Quiet woodland sounds, pleasant earthy scents of damp fallen leaves, and tactile discovery tables inside the nature center.

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