Park Programs
Parks Programs for July and August 2022
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo
The following events take place at Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo and are subject to change:
Saturday, July 2nd at 1:00 pm – Popsicle Enrichment
July is typically one of the hottest months of the summer, and as humans we enjoy popsicles to cool down. The zoo animals enjoy cool treats as well! Park naturalists will provide some of the animals with their own unique kinds of “popsicles.” Come see what hidden surprises are frozen in their popsicles! Meet at the Otter exhibit.
Sunday, July 10th at 11:00 am - Keeper Chat
Come learn about the animals that live at Zollman Zoo. A Zookeeper will chat about how they care for the animals, what they eat, what their favorite toys are, and more! Feel free to ask questions about your favorite animals at the zoo. Meet near the Otter exhibit.
Saturday, July 16th at 11:00 am – The Size and Scale of the Solar System
Take a tour of the Solar System from Oxbow Park Nature Center. The size and scale of our solar system objects will be discussed using a scale model of our solar system and reference points in Oxbow Park. Meet at the Nature Center.
Sunday, July 24th at 11:00 am - Guided Prairie Flower Hike
Come and enjoy a beautiful morning stroll through one of Oxbow’s restored native prairie. A park Naturalist will guide you on a short hike and identify common wildflowers found in the prairie. Meet in front of the Nature Center.
Saturday, July 30th at 1:00 pm – Insect Investigation
Join a Naturalist for a brief talk and helpful ID tips about insects and then head to the prairie to see what insects you can find! Naturalists will be there to help identify insects. Insect nets will be provided. Meet in front of the Nature Center.
Sunday, August 7th at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm - Stuffed Animal Health Check
Bring your favorite stuffed animal to the park to have Veterinary Interns do a wellness check on your stuffed animal similar to what they do for your pets and the Zollman Zoo animals. Learn the importance of veterinary care for animals from the professionals. Meet at the Nature Center.
Saturday, August 13th at 1:00 pm Program, 1:30 – 3:30 pm Booth – Get the Lead Out!
Lead tackle can be very dangerous to wildlife and the environment. Bring your lead tackle to the park and exchange it for a free sample of non-lead tackle (July – September)! A Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff member will be doing a presentation about lead tackle at 1:00 pm and will also host a booth from 1:30 - 3:30 pm. Meet at the Nature Center.
Sunday, August 21st at 1:00 pm – Ice Cream Making
Cool off from the heat of summer with us as we teach you how to make your own ice cream! Supplies will be provided. Meet at the Nature Center.
Saturday, August 27th at 9:00 am - Yoga in the Zoo!
Start your day off right with some morning yoga in the zoo! Now is your chance to be like some of the animals in the zoo while you practice animal poses. Please bring a yoga mat, towel, or blanket. Space is limited, there is a $10 fee for participants, call the park at 507-328-7340 to sign up. The class will be taught by a Certified Yoga Instructor from Roca Climbing & Fitness in Rochester. Ages 5 and up. Meet in front of the Nature Center.
July - September – Get the Lead Out Tackle Exchange
Lead tackle can be very dangerous to wildlife and the environment. Bring your lead tackle to the park and exchange it for a free sample of non-lead tackle! Drop off boxes will be at both Oxbow Park and Chester Woods Park.
Chester Woods Park
The following events take place at Chester Woods Park and are subject to change.
Saturday – Monday, July 2-4 – Mobile Rec Trailer
The Rochester City Parks Mobile Rec trailer will be at Chester Woods Park for the Fourth of July Weekend. This trailer includes many different yard games and fun activities for people of all ages!
Saturday, July 9th at 8:30 p.m. - Fireflies
Meet up at the “ballfield” area at the picnic table where we will start with a short story and then grab a bug net and see how many we can catch. (Just remember, we will be releasing them immediately😊)
Saturday, July 16th at 9:00 p.m. – Night Hike
Meet Park staff at the woodshed to take off on a short hike to discover the sights and sounds of the night!
Saturday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m. – Build a sandcastle
Who doesn’t like to play in the sand?! Join staff at the beach as we all trigger our child like curiosity and artistic talents and sculpt away. A few buckets and shovels will be available to use, but we encourage you to bring your own if you have them!
July 26-31, 2022 – Olmsted County Fair – Conservation Booth
Saturday, August 6th at 8:30 p.m. – Perseid Meteor Program
Meet in Shelter 5 and join astronomer Don Borland as he leads a Perseid Meteor Program. This is sure to be a fun and informative event.
Saturday, August 13th at 1:00 p.m. – Nature Painting
Meet Park staff at picnic shelter 1 for some watercolor paints and paper and head off into the park to let your artistic talents free!
Saturday August 20th - Summer Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
Self-guided scavenger hunt sheets will be available at the campground restroom building near the bulletin boards.
Saturday August 27th- Tree ID Scavenger Hunt
Head to the playground area near shelter 1 and locate the tree id sign. Take a photo of it and proceed around the Chester Lake trail to locate the trees.
Root River Park
The following events take place at Root River Park and are subject to change.
There are currently no programs scheduled for July and August 2022.
Mindfulness in Nature - Guided Walks
