NATURE & WILDLIFE
Kennett and Dunklin County deliver a wide variety of venues for the nature lover. Opportunities for fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing are:
Little River Conservation Area: The 1,066 acres of this park provide a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor recreation. It's open to all statewide hunting seasons, except duck hunting. The wetlands attract many migratory birds, making it great for bird watching and outdoor photography.
Ben Cash Conservation Area: This 1,300-acre wildlife park located on the St. Francis River is one of the few remaining areas of virgin swamps and bottomland hardwood forests. It also features an extremely diverse collection of flowers and wildflowers. Similar conservation areas in Dunklin County include the Hornersville Swamp State Wildlife Area and Warbler Woods State Natural Area, as well as Cochran's Opening in Cardwell. These cypress-tupelo swamps and open marshes team with flooded timberlands and flooded rice fields in the region to attract a huge waterfowl population. In fact, they have turned the region into one of the nation's four major flyways during waterfowl migration seasons.
Lake Jerry Paul: This is a 200-acre fishing lake stocked with largemouth bass, black crappie, red ear sunfish, green sunfish, channel catfish, bluegill and hybrids. It is located in the Little River Conservation Area, just east of Kennett. Amenities include a covered fishing dock, boat ramp, jetties, an overlook, restrooms and a picnic pavilion.
"Southeast Missouri is the most biologically diverse area in the state. There are all kinds of things to see." -- Missouri Department of Conservation Community Outreach Specialist Phil Helfrich
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Parks and Kennett Community Garden: Kennett has six city parks scattered throughout the community...Del-Mo, Indian, Jones Memorial, Mitchell, Oak Haven and Willoughby. Most feature playground equipment, picnic facilities and restrooms. Jones Memorial, Willoughby and Mitchell Parks also have walking trails, while Indian Park boasts a state-of-the-art complex of baseball and softball fields. Just down the block from Willoughby Park, the Kennett Community Garden is busy at work, offering fresh and locally-grown produce throughout the growing season.
Swimming: The Sheryl Crow Aquatic Center includes a junior Olympic-sized pool, a children's pool, splash pad, water slide and pool house, with a snack bar, showers and locker rooms. There is also a private pool at the Kennett Country Club, located on U.S. Highway 412 at Kennett's easternmost boundary.
Bowling: 1315 St. Francis St, newly renovated, contact phone number 573-888-9400.
Movie Theatre: Now open is the newly renovated Kennett Palace Theatre located Downtown on First St. With a wide variety of films in the rotation, the cinema is sure to entertain most any member of the family.
Theatre: Located just across the street from the aquatic center is the Semo Little Theatre Performing Arts Center, home to frequent music concerts and jam sessions, as well as live theatrical productions.
Museums: The Dunklin County Museum, established in 1986, is housed in Kennett's original City Hall, the only building in town listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum features hundreds of historic collections, thousands of individual items and a stunning Native American artifacts assortment, dating back to the earliest settlements in the area. The museum is open on Wednesday afternoons, 1:30-5 p.m. School and private tours are also available. Families will also enjoy a visit to the highly interactive Bootheel Youth Museum, located in Malden, 33 miles north of Kennett on MO Highway 25.
RV Parking: If you are bringing your RV to Kennett to visit family, hunt or participating in other recreational activities Kennett offers one location for RV Parking:
84 West Motel
1433 St. Francis St.
Electric, water, and sewer available
Cost available per request
Call 573-888-0507 for details
For a great resource of all things Kennett, view the Delta Dunklin Democrat's FYI Magazine online or stop by the Chamber office for a paper copy.
| Kennett Recreational Facilities (and within 10 Miles): | |
| Public Tennis Courts | 2 |
| Public Parks | 6 |
| Walking Trails | 3 |
| Public Golf Courses (18 Holes) | 1 |
| Country Clubs | 1 |
| Nearest Public Access Lake or River | 2 Miles |
| Activities Allowed on the Lake: Fishing/Boating | |
| Other Facilities: Bowling Alley, Movie Theater, Hunting (Deer, Dove, Turkey, Rabbit, Squirrel) |
|
