Prairie Dog Town
The vision of Prairie Dog Town was conceived and implemented by K.N. Clapp in 1935. In the 1930’s the government’s poisoning program was becoming effective, and he was alarmed that the extinction of the black-tailed prairie dog would result. Mr. Clapp designed this enclosure and, with his friend Ross Edwards, trapped two pairs of black-tailed prairie dogs to be the original residents. He oversaw Prairie Dog Town’s care and operation until his death in 1969.
Today, Prairie Dog Town is cared for by the City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation Department as part of historic Mackenzie Park. Since opening in 1935, the site has remained one of Lubbock’s most beloved family attractions and continues K.N. Clapp’s vision of protecting the black-tailed prairie dog while giving visitors a chance to experience a unique symbol of the Texas Plains.
