Parks and Trails programs
Parks and Trails programs September - October 2025
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, August 30, 9 a.m. - Mindfulness Meander
Join a Naturalist to learn about the many benefits being immersed in nature has on your health. You will learn about and have the opportunity to participate in a few mindfulness activities. Meet at the Nature Center.
Saturday, September 6, 9 a.m. - Mindfulness Meander
Join a Naturalist to learn about the many benefits being immersed in nature has on your health. You will learn about and have the opportunity to participate in a few mindfulness activities. Meet at the Nature Center.
Sunday, September 7, 1 p.m. - 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 at the otter exhibit.
Saturday, September 13, 1 p.m. - Animal Tracks and Signs
Join a naturalist for a short walk to see and discover all the signs of wildlife around us! Keep your eyes peeled to find signs like tracks, scat, fur, feathers, and more! Great for all ages. Meet in the Nature Center.
Saturday, September 20, 1 p.m. - MN DNR K-9 Demonstration
Learn from Conservation Officer Schlag and canine officer Trapper the duties of protecting Minnesota’s natural resources. Watch a demonstration of the canine skills Trapper has been trained to do in the line of duty.
Sunday, September 21, 1 p.m. - 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! Meet at the nature center. (Accommodation CAN be made for non-hikers, seniors, etc.)
Saturday, September 27, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friends of Oxbow Treasure Trek/Scavenger Hunt
Join the Friends of Oxbow on their 3rd annual treasure trek/scavenger hunt for all ages. Starting at the nature center, participants can choose between a 1 mile or 2-mile route while they hunt for treasures. The first 200 participants will receive a prize! Trail Creek Coffee Roasters will be on site selling coffee.
Sunday, October 5, 2 p.m. - Bats and Crafts
Join a naturalist in the nature center as they give a short talk on bats and how important they are to the environment. Share your enthusiasm for these misunderstood mammals by making a craft after the program.
Saturday, October 11, 1 p.m. - Prairie Hike/Seed Collection
A short hike around the park and the prairies will give guests a chance to gather seeds and identify different species that call Oxbow home. Meet at the nature center.
Sunday, October 19, 2 p.m. - History of Halloween Animals
Learn about why certain animals are associated with Halloween and have an opportunity to touch one of these animals!
Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Boo at the Zoo
Celebrate HallZOOween early at the zoo! There will be crafts, pumpkins, trick or treating, and other spooktacular fun to join in on. Friends of Oxbow will be on site selling merchandise. Wear your costumes and have a faBOOlous time!
2025 Oxbow Homeschool classes
Oxbow Park is now offering Naturalist Programs reserved for homeschool families! Sign up will be required and Oxbow Park reserves the right to cancel the program if there are not enough participants signed up. The fee is $5 per student, 3 years and older (parents and 2 and under are free)
- Payment is required to sign up for the class. No refunds will be offered.
- Please call 507-328-7340 to sign up.
Homeschool classes:
- Wednesday, September 17th, 11 a.m. - Raptors
- Thursday, October 23rd, 1 p.m. - Nature Hike
- Wednesday, November 5th 11 a.m. - Feed the Deer and Elk
Chester Woods Park
Saturday, September 6, 2 - 4 p.m. Prairie Tour Wagon Ride
Registration is required by calling 507-328-7350, as space is limited to the first 20 people. (Ages 8 and up)
Converting farm fields into a park with a lake and prairies full of native grasses and wildflowers takes many years of effort. Over the past 30 years, staff and volunteers at Chester Woods Park have seeded, pulled weeds, burned and repeated this process many times.
Join Joel Dunnette, a long-time park volunteer and Jim Foote, former Olmsted County Park Superintendent, as they describe the process of changing this former farmland into a park with beautiful woods and prairies. Participants will ride on the wagon to various areas then disembark to see the dam, walk the prairie and see the plants.
Saturday, September 13, 1 p.m. - Rock Painting
Bring your creative side to shelter 6 for this fun activity! Park staff will provide rocks and paint pens for use.
Saturday, September 27, 9 a.m. - 3 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 “Our Home Outdoors”.
Who: Families with children over 5 years old, adults interested in nature.
When: Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9 AM – 3 PM (okay to do a half day).
Where: Chester Woods Park Office, 8378 Hwy 14 Eyota, MN
Registration required: email Patty Trnka at patty.trnka@prodigy.net by Sept. 20th. Limited to 25 people.
Free lunch of Subway sandwiches, chips, and cookies will be provided for registered participants.
Event leaders: Patty Trnka, Joel Dunnette, and Loretta Mogan who are MN Nat Volunteers.
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, and bug spray. Seed collection equipment will be provided.
Wear: Long pants, closed-toed sturdy shoes for uneven terrain, gloves, and a hat.
Friday, October 10, 9:30 a.m. - Rochester Public Library Outdoor Storytime at the Ampitheater
Saturday, October 25, 10:30 a.m. - Friends of Chester Woods Annual Meeting
Meet at the Chester Woods Park office.
Saturday, October 25, 2 - 4 p.m. - Halloween Craze at the Maze
The public is invited to a Halloween-themed event in the maze. Participants can wander to various stations to view prairie themed displays. One station will feature a bluebird house with a nest and its eggs. Another station will display a collection of seeds while another talks about animals that make their homes in the prairie. Each station will give out a snack or treat to children who visit them.
It is free and open to the public. Costumes are optional but will add to the festive atmosphere.
Since dogs may become excited or alarmed by costumed children, we respectfully ask that dogs are not brought into the maze during this event. If it rains on Saturday, the event will be held on Sunday, Oct. 26 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM.
Come join us for our first Halloween Craze!! No registration is required.