Whether it's rediscovering the past, a soothing garden walk or a wedding site you're after, this compact park offers a unique variety of amenities. Anchored by an elegant Southern-style mansion built by Anthony Ward and passed down to his daughter, Jennie Meade, the park features a 2.5-acre botanical garden. The wheelchair-accessible garden contains a wide variety of trees, shrubs and plants, a gazebo and several water features. The mansion, which includes the Preston Hale Reception Room, and garden are used for weddings, meetings and dinners.

West of the mansion is Old Prairie Town, which includes a log cabin, the Potwin Drug Store, Victor School House, the old Pauline Depot, Lingo Livery Stable, Mulvane General Store and physician and dental offices. The drug store is a replica of the old Potwin Drug Store that closed in the late 1970s. It features woodwork from the old store and still operates as an ice cream parlor serving up treats. Old Prairie Town staff and volunteers guide visitors through the facilities throughout the year and during special events such as the annual Apple Festival.

Additional information is available at http://www.topeka.org/parksrec/ward_meade.shtml or by calling (785) 368-3888.