Olmsted County Parks and Trails Newsletter - Summer 2026

by: Jaide Ryks

Photo Left to Right: Nolan, Jack, Drea, Lauren, Aubrey, Scott, Tim, Brayson

Aubrey Peterson 

Returning as a 4th-year seasonal maintenance worker, Aubrey knows her way around the park! Aubrey is originally from Kasson and recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Environmental Science. Aubrey’s favorite thing to do at Oxbow is trail work and is great with a chainsaw! In her free time, she enjoys hiking and reading. 

Tim Reiter

Tim is one of Oxbow’s 6-month seasonals, originally from New Ulm, MN, and comes with a ton of background and experience. Tim has a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in GIS. He has worked in various positions in Minnesota State Parks, GIS, and as a special education paraprofessional. Here at Oxbow Tim loves working on the trails and in his free time loves to stay at his family cabin on Lake Shetek.

Jack Meurer

Jack is one of Oxbow’s 6-month seasonal maintenance staff. Jack is a Rochester native and has previous experience in brick and tile work. He has many hobbies including hunting/fishing, playing guitar, reading, camping, hiking, mountain biking, and video games. It’s a dream of his to someday visit Alaska, Montana, and Banff National Park. As a maintenance worker, he enjoys clearing the trails and working on the machinery.

Scott Bartz

Scott is one of Oxbow Park’s seasonal maintenance workers and is a recent graduate of Kasson-Mantorville High School. Scott has been visiting Oxbow Park his entire life and enjoys getting to maintain the park he loves. His favorite park duty is mowing, and he likes reading and playing video games in his free time. 

Brayson Sawyer 

Brayson is a recent graduate of John Marshall high school and is one of Oxbow’s seasonal maintenance workers. In the past he has worked at Home Depot and in his free time enjoys golfing and playing basketball. His favorite task at Oxbow Park is mowing. 

Drea Wilkey

Andrea (Drea) is Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo’s seasonal naturalist. Drea is a Michigan native and graduated college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management. She came to Oxbow with tons of experience working as an Animal Care Tech, arborist, manager of coffee shops, and more. Drea is very talented in the arts and crafts department and loves to sew, knit, and crochet. She also enjoys listening to podcasts and working in her yard. Like many of us, she couldn’t pick one favorite zoo animal, so she went with the fisher, otters, and the cougar.

Nolan Raymond

Nolan is one of Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo’s two summer naturalist interns. Nolan is from Rochester and graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. Nolan has volunteered with the US Virgin Islands National Park Service and the University of the Virgin Islands marine lab. His favorite animals to work with in the zoo are the snakes and he likes to play video games, Magic the Gathering, and travel in his off time.

Lauren Mohs

Lauren is one of Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo’s two summer naturalist interns. Lauren is from Rochester and recently graduated from the College of St. Benedict and Saint John’s University majoring in biology. This is Lauren’s first time working in a zoo but has enjoyed getting to know everyone and working especially with the fisher and otters! Lauren also works at a doggy daycare/boarding facility and in her free time enjoys drawing, painting, sewing and spending time with her dog, Mark. 

Every year the Olmsted County Parks system hires numerous seasonal employees to assist us in getting through the busiest time in the parks. This year Chester Woods Park hired six seasonal employees and one intern. All but two of the staff were new this year. Below is a brief introduction to a few of the new hires for Chester Woods Park 2026 season.

Hello, my name is Thomas Ptak, more commonly known as TJ by my friends and peers. I'm a U.S. Army veteran who served six and a half years as an NCO (non-commissioned officer) and mortarman, bringing leadership, integrity, and a strong work ethic to everything I do. As a disabled veteran, I've learned the value of resilience and adaptability while continuing to pursue new opportunities and personal growth. I enjoy working with my hands, tackling projects, and spending time outdoors whenever possible. Whether it's exploring nature, enjoying recreational activities, or simply being outside, I have a deep appreciation for the outdoors and an active lifestyle. My goal is to continue building a successful future while staying connected to the values of hard work, service, and adventure. 

I am Dylan Hoot I am a three-month seasonal at Chester Woods Park. I attend school at Northern State University in Aberdeen SD. I am Majoring in Environmental sciences with minors in Graphic imaging systems (GIS), and Criminal Justice. I am hoping to be in the conservation world after school. I am on the track team at northern, I am a high jumper and long jumper. I jump 6,8 in high jump and 22,4 in long jump. I went to high school at Stewartville High School and graduated in 2025. At Chester Woods I will doing general park operations.

Hello, my name is Quinn, and I am the Naturalist Intern for the summer season. I grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, and am currently pursuing a degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior through the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. I have a strong passion for wildlife, conservation, and environmental education. In the future, I hope to build a career in conservation, whether through park management, wildlife rehabilitation, research, or other efforts. I’m excited to spend this season learning, sharing my enthusiasm for the natural world and helping visitors connect with the environment around them.

Hi, my name is Owen Karsten, I am a seasonal here at Chester Woods. I just graduated high school and plan to head to Trade school this fall. I joined Chester Woods because I love being outdoors and I wanted a job where I was able to work with my hands and help wherever I can. I can’t wait to start work this summer and work at an amazing site with some amazing people.

by: Clarissa Schrooten

With summer here and the days the longest they will be all year, it is fun to stay up with the sun, but the real excitement comes as the sun slips down and darkness fills the sky. This is the time when the fireflies light up the night.

Fireflies, also known as lightning bugs, are the names we call them, but both are not correctly describing how these insects light up. First off, the light is not produced by fire from the insect or by lightning, which is good since this would make the insects far more dangerous. Instead, the fireflies are using a naturally occurring pigment called luciferin that when mixed with oxygen and the enzyme luciferase, they add in the energy from the cells of the insects, light is created! It is considered to be a bioluminescent light. Secondly, the insect is not actually in the classification group of flies which have transparent wings, and it is not in the group of true bugs who when they are at rest their wings fold over each other creating an “X” on their back. These insects are actually in the group of beetles. Therefore, the more accurate name for these insects would be to call them bioluminescent beetles. That is quite the mouthful, which is why they are called fireflies and lightning bugs.

An insect that lights up in the night is cool to watch, but there is a good reason for this light activity. Each species of firefly has their own light pattern, similar to morse code, but for insects. Since there are at least 7 common species of firefly in Minnesota and up to 170+ in North America it seems advantageous for each species to have their own code. The males start the night lighting activity by flying around flashing their pattern. The females will sit lower in the grasses waiting until she sees the correct pattern for her species, and it performed the way she prefers. Once the female spots a male flashing pattern, she will reciprocate the pattern back to show she has found a proper mate. This light show will continue through the summer months.

It’s the best time of year to grab a lawn chair near tall grass habitat or the edge of a woodland to observe the illumination of the bioluminescent beetle. To help increase the likelihood of seeing fireflies this year and years to come, you can help by reducing the use of insecticides, turning off outdoor lights at night, and planting tall grasses and flowers for habitat. 

by: Rebecca Houston

Friends of Oxbow had an excellent spring selling merch at the We are Water exhibit events and the Nature Art and Craft Show, both hosted by Oxbow Park. 

Check out our Facebook page for dates we will sell merch this summer.

Mark your calendars! Treasure Trek will return on September 26th with 1- and 2-mile loops! Bring a friend or the whole family and enjoy the trails at Oxbow Park.