Park Programs
Parks Programs for September and October 2022
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo
The following events take place at Oxbow Park and are subject to change.
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.
Sunday, September 4th at 11 am - Monarch Butterfly Tagging and Health Monitoring
Join Oxbow Park naturalists catching and tagging endangered monarch butterflies. Learn about their great journey down south and what YOU can do to help them!
Saturday, September 10th at 9 am - Mindfulness Hike
Join a naturalist in a stroll through the woods to learn about the many benefits being immersed in nature has on your health. Meet at the nature center.
Sunday, September 18th at 11 am - Totally Turtles
Minnesota is home to nine different species of turtles. Turtles are one of the longest living species in the world dating back to the era when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Learn the yearly events a turtle lives through that allowed this animal to live for many centuries. Also meet the zoo’s resident turtles!
Saturday, September 24th 10:30 am - 12 pm - FREE Yoga at the Zoo
Start your day off right with some morning yoga near the deer, elk, and bison! 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. Rain date the following Sunday. 18+ older event. Please call the Rochester Athletic Club at 507-287-9300 to register.
Sunday, October 2nd 10 am – 3 pm - Children’s Zoo Scavenger Hunt
Oxbow Staff will provide scavenger hunts to do in the zoo and park. Self-led and fun for all ages!
Saturday, October 8th 10:30 am – 12 pm - FREE Yoga at the Zoo
Start your day off right with some morning yoga near the deer, elk, and bison! 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. Rain date the following Sunday. 18+ older event. Please call the Rochester Athletic Club at 507-287-9300 to register.
Sunday, October 16th at 1 pm - Feed the Deer and Elk
A short hike over to the elk and deer pens will allow participants to get a closer look at these spectacular creatures. Learn more about antlers, deer and elk behavior, and see them eat! (Accommodations CAN be made for non-hikers, seniors, etc.)
Saturday, October 22nd at 1 pm - Fall Color Hike
Fall can be the one of the most colorful seasons in Minnesota. Take a short hike with a naturalist and find out what makes leaves change from green to yellow, orange, red and brown. Afterwards, gather in the Nature Center to create your own leaf print.
Saturday October 29th 10 am – 4 pm - Boo at the Zoo and Pumpkin Party!
Happy Halloween! Wear your Halloween costume to the zoo and trick or treat at the front desk. You can also watch a Naturalist give the zoo animals pumpkins during the Pumpkin Party at 1:00 pm. Many 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 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.
Saturday, September 3rd at 2:00 p.m. – Tie Dye
Meet park staff at Shelter 6 to design your own tie-dye bandana. Supplies will be provided but are limited. Children must be accompanied by adult and wear clothing that is ok to possibly get stained. Please bring a plastic bag to carry you wet creation home. (Ages 6 and up)
Saturday, September 10th at 1:00 p.m. – Caramel Apple Dipping
Meet at Shelter 6 for a sweet treat! Who doesn’t like a freshly dipped caramel apple! Apples will be provided. Adults must accompany children!
Saturday, September 17th at 8:00 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, September 24th- 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. National Public Lands Day
Chester Woods Park will once again host a seed collecting event for National Public Lands Day. 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. Meet at Shelter 6. Please email patty.trnka@prodigy.net for more information
Saturday, October 8th at 1:00 p.m.- Fall Colors Wagon Ride
Please call 507-328-7350 to register for a space on this fun family wagon ride through the beautiful prairies of Chester Woods Park
Saturday, October 15th at 11:00 a.m. – Root River Park Wagon Ride
Please call 507-328-7350 to register for a space on this fun family wagon ride through the bluffs and prairies of Root River Park
Saturday, October 22nd from 1:30-3:30 pm – Seed Collecting/Processing
Meet at the Park Office as staff or volunteers lead through the hand processes of seed collecting of native prairie plants. Chester Woods is hosting an afternoon session to collect native wildflower seeds. This is a golden opportunity for young children and adults to learn about prairie plants and seed collection while spending time immersed in nature. All equipment will be provided. Please wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes and long pants as we will be walking in uneven terrain.
The following events take place at Root River Park and are subject to change.
There are currently no programs scheduled for September and October 2022.
Mindfulness in Nature - Guided Walks
