Parks programs
Parks programs for March and April 2024
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.
Sunday, March 3 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. - Zoo Scavenger Hunt
Celebrate World Wildlife Day by visiting Zollman Zoo and taking part in a self-led zoo scavenger hunt! Several hunt options are available for all age groups!
Saturday, March 9 at 1 p.m. - All About Owls
It's owl courtship time! Let us show you WHOO they are, where they live, and how they live in our natural world. Live birds will be displayed.
Sunday March 17 at 1 p.m. - Maple Syruping
Join Park staff for a brief history of maple syruping then hike to Oxbow’s sugar bush as we demonstrate how we tap our sugar maples. This program ends with a small sample of Oxbow Parks’ maple syrup! Dress for the weather and expect mud.
Saturday March 23 at 1 p.m. - Maple Syruping
Join Park staff for a brief history of maple syruping then hike to Oxbow’s sugar bush as we demonstrate how we tap our sugar maples. This program ends with a small sample of Oxbow Parks’ maple syrup! Dress for the weather and expect mud.
Saturday March 30 at 11 a.m. - Animal Easter Egg Hunt
Enjoy watching the animals hunt for Easter eggs in their exhibits. This is a fun activity for the animals. It’s something new in their exhibit to play with or maybe eat!
Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. – Composting with Worms 101
Are you a gardener? Someone who is concerned about their carbon footprint? Someone who wants to compost but lives in an apartment? Or someone who just likes to try new things? Come learn about the basics of Vermiculture (composting with worms). Learn the benefits of worm composting, how to set up a worm bin, and how to care for your worms.
Sunday, April 14 at 9 a.m. – Mindfulness Meander
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.
Saturday, April 20 at 1 p.m. - Sounds of Nature
Come to Oxbow Park to Join a naturalist in celebrating Earth Day with a spring “Sounds of Nature” Hike! You will learn how to identify birds, frogs, insects, and more by just their sounds!
Saturday, April 27 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Nature Art and Craft Show
Come out to the Oxbow Park Nature Center to shop at our first-ever Nature Arts and Crafts show! Art includes watercolor, acrylics, woodworking, photography, ceramics, and much more! Partial proceeds go to Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo.
Snowshoe, cross-country ski, and kick sled rentals: Available for $5 between the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. when snow permits. Check our Facebook page or call for ski trail grooming updates and rentals updates.
Chester Woods Park
The following events take place at Chester Woods Park and are subject to change.
March 16 at 10 a.m.– Egg Carton Gardens
Let’s celebrate the daylight getting longer by getting an early start on some gardening! Kids will have a blast playing in the dirt and watching as their seeds eventually start taking off. Then when mother nature allows, they can be transplanted to your very own garden or pot! Space is limited so call 507-328-7350 to reserve a spot, by March 13th.
Chester Woods Park now has winter recreation equipment available for rent. The park offers snowshoes, cross-country skis, and kick sleds. These are available (weather/snow pending) beginning January 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the park office.
Root River Park
The following events take place at Root River Park and are subject to change.
There are no programs planned at Root River Park for the months of March and April.