Aviary

The Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center

** Please see note about partial closure of the boardwalk February 28 through March 30, 2024 under Operating Hours below. **

Opened in 2015, the 550-foot boardwalk and aviary complex is the epicenter of the Tennessee State Parks birds-of-prey programming, offering park visitors a unique opportunity for unparalleled education programs. Constructed as a boardwalk, nestled in the natural area, the wheelchair-accessible facility allows “up close” observation of non-releasable birds-of-prey, and offers a bird’s eye view of the surrounding hillside and wildlife.

Through a public-private partnership with the State of Tennessee, these non-releasable birds-of-prey, designated as education animals due to permanent injuries, are housed and cared for at Radnor Lake State Park. Radnor park staff participate in training four times each year conducted by Wings to Soar. This training improves the park staff’s knowledge, handling skills and care of these birds-of-prey. This training is funded by Friends of Radnor Lake and the Barbara J. Mapp Foundation to help provide the highest level of care for our captive wildlife and high-quality interpretive birds-of-prey programs for the public.

There are seven non-releasable birds in residence at the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center. We are proud to care for a Great Horned Owl, a Red Tailed-Hawk, a Vulture, a Golden Eagle, and three Bald Eagles. All birds-of-prey live in their own habitat, customized to provide for their individual needs and to offer protection.

Photograph by Mackenzie Maness

 

Photograph by Ron Boniol

Operating Hours

The Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center is open to the public on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 am until 1 pm.

All programs at the aviary center are free.

Pets are not permitted on the boardwalk at the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center.

From February 28 through March 30, 2024, public access to enclosures #4 & #5 at the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center will be closed to allow for the female captive eagles (Eagle 1 & Eagle 2) enrichment time during eagle nesting season. This typically lasts 3-4 weeks each spring and is earlier than usual this year. This will result in closure to half of the boardwalk for visitors during Open House hours until March 30, 2024.

The Education Center building and boardwalk from Enclosure #1-#3 will be open as usual for public visitation 10am-1pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Thank you in advance for your understanding on this adjustment to operations at the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center relative to the standard of care for these captive birds of prey.

Location and Directions

The Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center is located at the top of Hall Drive, off of Otter Creek Road, and is only accessible by foot.

From East Parking Area, walk west on Otter Creek Road to Hall Drive to Aviary- 3/4 of a mile.

From West Parking Area (Walter Criley Visitor Center), walk east on Otter Creek Road to Hall Drive to Aviary is 1.4 miles.

The hike up to Hall Drive is paved but steep. Visitors with special needs please contact Park Manager Steve Ward (steve.ward@tn.gov) for assistance to the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center.

Click here to download a map showing location in the park.

Photograph by SIR Jack Foresman