Kirkwood, MO Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Feeding (2026)
Key Facts
- Feeding wildlife
- unlawful in any city park
- Noxious substances to animals
- also prohibited, § 18-4(g)
- Hunting/trapping wildlife
- banned, § 18-4(f) and § 18-9
- Enforcing office
- Director of Parks and Recreation
- Penalty basis
- general penalty, Code § 1-8
Summary
Kirkwood's parks ordinance makes it unlawful to feed waterfowl or wildlife in any city park. The same section also bars giving animals or birds noxious substances and prohibits hunting, molesting, trapping or killing wildlife, or removing eggs, nests or young, anywhere on park property.
§ 18-4. Damaging park property or injuring wildlife. ... It shall be unlawful for any person in a City park to: ... (g) Give or offer, or attempt to give any animal or bird any noxious substances. (h) Feed any waterfowl or wildlife in any park.
Full Breakdown
Section 18-4, titled 'Damaging park property or injuring wildlife,' lists eight prohibited acts within a city park. Subsection (f) bars anyone from hunting, molesting, harming, trapping, killing or shooting at any animal, reptile or bird, or removing eggs, nests or young. Subsection (g) prohibits giving or attempting to give any animal or bird a noxious substance, and subsection (h) squarely bans feeding waterfowl or wildlife in any park. The rule applies across Kirkwood's park system, including Walker Lake at Kirkwood Park and the Meramec River Greenway at Green Tree Park, both popular waterfowl habitats.
A related provision, § 18-9, separately bans hunting or pursuing wildlife with firearms, air rifles, bows or slings anywhere in a park except on ranges the Parks and Recreation Department specifically designates for target shooting. Enforcement runs through the Director of Parks and Recreation and park rangers, who under § 18-6(b) are authorized to direct compliance, and violations are prosecuted like any other chapter 18 offense.
Violations & Fines
Feeding waterfowl or wildlife in a Kirkwood park violates § 18-4(h) and is subject to the general penalty set out in § 1-8 of the Code of Ordinances, as applied to chapter 18 violations by § 18-2. Each instance of feeding is treated as a separate violation, and park staff or police may cite a person on the spot for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed the ducks at Kirkwood Park?
Are there other wildlife protections in Kirkwood parks?
What happens if I'm caught feeding geese in a Kirkwood park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kirkwood
Compare Kirkwood to another location·View the Missouri animal ordinances overview
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