Parks Programs
Parks Programs for September, and October 2023
Accessibility Options: Olmsted County Parks offer a variety of accessibility accommodations for park visitors and our public programming. Ranging from accommodations for mobility like our Action Trackchair, sensory sensitivities including our free rental kits, American Sign Language interpreter, and a microphone/speaker system for improved acoustics for hearing with certain programs. We know everyone’s experience is unique. For more information on these resources contact oxbow@olmstedcounty.gov or call 507-328-7340. Please let us know of needed accommodations at least two days in advance, two weeks for an ASL interpreter.
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo
The following events take place at Oxbow Park and are subject to change.
Saturday, September 2nd at 8:30am – Forest Bathing
Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guides offer powerful nature-based experiences—combining forest bathing, Ayurveda, meditation, and practical outdoor skills—for people of all ages and backgrounds. No experience or equipment necessary. Please wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes and come prepared for the weather. Meet at the nature center.
Sunday, September 3rd at 8:45am – Yoga in the Zoo
Start your day off with some relaxing yoga in the zoo with the Amethyst Yogi! Rachel Larkin will lead a pay-what-you-can yoga session in the zoo. Yoga will be moved indoors for inclement weather.
Register at amethystyogi.com. Walk-ins welcome as space permits.
Saturday, September 9th at 11 am – Monarch Butterfly Tagging
Join a Naturalist catching monarch butterflies and watch as a Naturalist tags them. You will learn about the long journey the monarch butterflies take to Mexico every year, and what YOU can do to help them. Meet at the nature center.
Sunday, September 10th at 8:30am -- Mindful Meander
Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guides offer powerful nature-based experiences—combining forest bathing, Ayurveda, meditation, and practical outdoor skills—for people of all ages and backgrounds. No experience or equipment necessary. Please wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes and come prepared for the weather. Meet at the 2nd Bridge Pavillion.
Saturday September 16th 9am-12pm and Sunday, September 17th 12pm-3pm -- Treasure Trek Scavenger Hunt
Brought to you by Friends of Oxbow, come out one or both days for a treasure hunt in the park! The first 200 trekkers will take home a treasure! Located at 1st bridge/Main picnic area.
Saturday, September 23rd at 1pm -- Feed the Bison
Bring the entire family out for a closer look at the majestic Plains Bison. You'll learn interesting facts about these marvelous creatures and get a close-up look as they are fed. A short hike is involved (accommodations can be made). Meet at the nature center.
Saturday, September 30th at 8:45am – Yoga in the Zoo
Start your day off with some relaxing yoga in the zoo with the Amethyst Yogi! Rachel Larkin will lead a pay-what-you-can yoga session in the zoo. Yoga will be moved indoors for inclement weather.
Register at amethystyogi.com. Walk-ins welcome as space permits.
Saturday, October 7th at 9am -- Safe Solo Hiking for Women
This program is for women who want to go hiking alone, but my not have the information to feel comfortable to do so. We’ll talk about some tips and tricks for safety, useful hiking accessories, and the benefits of spending time in nature. If weather permits, we will go on a short hike. Meet in the Nature Center classroom.
Sunday, October 15th at 1pm - Rattlesnakes
Timber rattlesnakes are rare to the state of Minnesota, yet still potentially deadly. Learn the types of habitats where these dangerous snakes live and the natural history of the timber rattlesnake.
Saturday, October 21st at 1pm – American Kestrel box Monitoring with John Ryder
Learn about American Kestrel behavior, habitats, and nesting. John Ryder, a nest box monitoring volunteer, will present about the local American kestrel nest box monitoring program and tell you how you can help American kestrel populations.
Sunday, October 22nd at 11 am – Armchair Birding for Birdability Week
Join a Naturalist in the comfort of the Nature Center’s wildlife viewing area. Watch the birds as staff shares identification tips and fun facts. Limited seating is available. This program is part of Birdability Week (October 16-22), “because birding is for everybody!” Visit www.birdability.org for more information about Birdability.
Saturday, October 28th from 10am – 4pm -- BOO at the ZOO
Happy Halloween! Wear your Halloween costume to Oxbow Park and trick or treat in the Nature Center. Other activities will be available throughout the day.
Chester Woods Park
The following events take place at Chester Woods Park and are subject to change.
Saturday, September 9 at 1:00 p.m. – Rock Painting
Join Park staff at Shelter 7 for some fun rock painting! Let your creativity fly! Rocks and paint markers will be provided.
Saturday, September 16th from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. – Soil Field Trip
Chester Woods County Park has a variety of soils that go with the prairies, savannas, and oak woodlands found within the park.
We will be looking at prairie and prairie intergrade soils that developed in
· in loamy glacial till,
· in loamy sediments over bedrock,
· in loamy-skeletal colluvium on very steep south facing slopes,
· in sandy outwash,
· in loamy outwash,
· and maybe more.
Registration is required by September 13 by emailing patty.trnka@prodigy.net
Saturday, October 7th from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. – “Chalk to Walk” Sidewalk Art in the Park
Come to the Parking lot near Shelter 6 for some fun with chalk and let your artistic side go! Chalk will be available.
Root River Park
The following events take place at Root River Park and are subject to change.
Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - National Public Lands Day
Olmsted County Parks is hosting a day of collecting native prairie seeds that will be used in the parks for prairie restoration. This is a golden opportunity to learn about prairie plants and seed collection while spending time immersed in nature. The event will be held in the afternoon at Root River Park which has newly restored prairies that are full of wildflowers.
Meet at Root River Park, 4012 80th Street SE, Rochester, MN 55904
Registration required: email Patty Trnka at patty.trnka@prodigy.net by Sept. 16.
Event leaders: Patty Trnka, Joel Dunnette, and Loretta Mogan who are MN Master Naturalist Volunteers
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, mask, and bug spray. Seed collection equipment will be provided.
Wear: Long pants, closed-toed sturdy shoes for uneven terrain, gloves, mask, and a hat.
Facility: Vault toilet is available. Several picnic tables with a few grills so come early if you want to have a picnic before the event.
Hope to see you on the prairie!
Patty Trnka
507-261-6592 (cell)
Email: patty.trnka@prodigy.net