Cedar Creek Prairie
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​​​To the best of our knowledge, Cedar Creek is the only HOA community in Kansas with acreage set aside for native grass, wildflower, bird & butterfly habitat.
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Join our Facebook Group to view and share Cedar Creek nature by clicking here
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Click here for visitor info and Prairie map.
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This unique habitat spans six acres of utility easement between The Crossings and Southglen I, stretching southwestward from College Boulevard to Clare Road. The habitat consists of four parts: (1) a large interior section planted in native grasses and wildflowers; (2) a retention basin for a small number of native wetland plants; (3) several lenghs of sidewalk (on north end of prairie) that provide nice viewpoints for some of the prairie's interior section; (4) a grassy walkway (aka buffer zone) planted in drought-tolerant turf fescue that provides a biological buffer between the interior section of the prairie and the adjoining yards, streets, and common areas. The width of this grassy walkway (buffer zone) is approximately 30 feet; the linear distance of this walkway/buffer walkway around the interior section of the prairie is about 0.8 miles. This walkway/buffer offers intimate spots for observing birds, butterflies, native prairie grasses, wildflowers, grasses, and solar events.
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BACKGROUND & MAINTENANCE: Physical development of the prairie commenced in fall of 2021 with clearing and eradication of invansive, non-native grasses and other plants. In winter of 2022, the prairie was drilled-seeded with carefully vetted native prairie grasses and wildflowers. It's worth noting that many native species planted in the prairie take up to six years to emerge, thrive, and bloom (or produce seed). As of November, 2025, such development is on track.
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To maintain the prairie's delicate ecology, the grassy walkway (buffer zone) is mowed eight times annually during the growing season, while the interior is brush-hogged once each spring. This timing helps control invasive species, minimizes disturbance of habitat for birds and butterflies, and encourages native plants through stimulation, reseeding, root & rhizome development. Following the annual brush hogging session, native vegetation typically rebounds within 4 to 6 weeks.​
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FALL/2025 & WINTER/2026: This is a busy time for birds at the prairie, and we hope you'll find time to enjoy them at close range as they feed on the seasonally abundant seed. This is also a time when our committee and other volunteers will be sowing carefully vetted wildflowers in high visibility areas to expand the bloom season, the variety of color, and the availability of food/habitat for different birds and butterflies.
SPRING/2026: By then, new walk-up signs * will have been installed at the prairie to further improve the prairie's efficacy. This is also a time for major trash clean up and eradicating invasive plants, especially musk thistle and bradford pear.
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Should you have questions, concerns, feedback, or interest in volunteering, please do not hesitate to contact Bill Yearout (wfyearout@gmail.com) or any other member of the prairie committee. Enjoy!
Cedar Creek Prairie Committee
Bill Yearout/chair, Stacy Rezek, Ross Schimmels, Gene Senesac, Tony Rezek.
Contributing members (non-voting): Holly Swyden, Kristin Webster Lee.
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* The QR code shown in the linked attachment is currently subject to change and may not be operative.
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