Floating Bridge

6710 Lake Shore Drive (street map)
Richfield, MN 55423
612-861-9365

Office Hours
Monday-Saturday: 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00-5:00 pm 

Park Hours
Daily: Sunrise to 11:00 pm


fowl dinner2019

Friends of Wood Lake
Fundraising Dinner
Friday, April 26, $60/person
MN Valley Country Club (6300 Auto Club Rd)
Guest speaker: Dr. Jean Larson,  Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the University of Minnesota, specializing in nature-based therapeutics. To purchase tickets, call 612-861-9365 or online.

Winter/Spring Programs & Events
Wood Lake's schedule of offerings is now online!  See the link below to the program brochure, then follow the online registration link below to register online for many of Wood Lake's programs (adult/child classes, kids holiday camps, and more!).

Spring/Summer Programs & Events

Wood Lake's schedule of offerings is now online!  See the link below to the program brochure, then follow the online registration link below to register online for many of Wood Lake's programs (adult/child classes, kids holiday camps, and more!).

 

Online Registration
Register online for select Wood Lake classes, child and adult. 

Now Hiring: Summer Intern     
VIEW JOB DESCRIPTION AND APPLY ONLINE
Wood Lake Nature Center is in the heart of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.  It is a busy urban park that is comprised of 150-acres of forest, prairie, and cattail marsh habitat, and is dedicated to high-quality environmental education and interpretive programs.  The park has miles of recreational trails and a nature center facility that is open every day to the public.
 
BENEFITS OF A SUMMER INTERNSHIP
-Expand your resume to include a wide variety of experiences from teaching to event planning
-Explore the nature center field as a possible career choice; see if it’s right for you
-Add to your list of those professionals who could recommend you for employment
-Work with diverse audiences of all ages

Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Information
Ski Trails
For a convenient ski trail close to home, visit Wood Lake! We have two traditional-style ski trails, 1.8 miles and .8 miles, that wind around the marsh and through the woods. If there are good snow conditions, Wood Lake will be open Martin Luther King Day (January 21) and Presidents Day (February 18) for both ski and snowshoe rental. Call 612-861-9365 for more information.
Ski & Snowshoe Rental
Cross-country skis and snowshoes are available for rent to use at Wood Lake Nature Center. Skis must be used on designated ski trails and snowshoes may only be used on walking paths. Equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be returned to the building by 4:30 pm.
Monday-Saturday 9:00 am-3:30 pm
Sunday 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
$8 (16-55 years old)
$4 (under 16, over 55)
Free for Friends of Wood Lake members

Friends of Wood Lake Memberships
Become a Friends of Wood Lake member today!  Your membership entitles you to free ski/snowshoe use, free or discounted admission to many Wood Lake programs and events, and provides crucial financial support to Wood Lake Nature Center.  Friends of Wood Lake also hosts fundraising events that support the Center's environmental-education programs, facility upgrades, and unforeseen problems that can exceed the City's budget.

Become A Member (or renew membership)  -  Membership Information  -  Membership Application

Programs & Events
Wood Lake has a variety of programs and events throughout the year for people of any age.  Browse through the seasonal Wood Lake Program Guide for the current season's offerings, register online for many programs, and view the Wood Lake Event Calendar to see what's happening this month at Wood Lake.

Friends of Wood Lake Fundraising Dinner
Friday, April 26, 6:00 pm, MN Valley Country Club
More details to come!

Environmental Education
Since 1971, the K-6 Richfield Public School students have visited Wood Lake three times a year as part of their regular science curriculum  This partnership is made possible by the annual Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K.

About Us

Wood Lake Nature Center is a 150-acre natural area dedicated to environmental education, wildlife observation, and outdoor recreation.  Wood Lake staff offices at the 4,000 square-foot main building, which features many educational exhibits (see hours above).  The park features several wildlife viewing areas, a 100-seat amphitheater, a picnic ground, and three miles of trails and boardwalks. The trails are either blacktop or crushed limestone and most are wheelchair accessible during summer months. To preserve the natural habitat, no pets, bikes or rollerblades are allowed.


Walking/Ski Trails

Wood Lake has over two miles of crushed limestone walking trails, floating boardwalk, and groomed cross-country ski trails (weather-permitting).  See Wood Lake's trail map for distances and more information.  The trails wind through three different habitats: cattail marsh, mixed lowland forest, and restored prairie.  For a list of birds you may see at Wood Lake, refer to our birding brochure.

Mission Statement
Wood Lake's mission is to provide the public with high-quality experiences in recreation and environmental education programs, act as a teacher/naturalist training facility and provide a high quality, diverse freshwater marsh-oriented nature facility for those programs and for use by individuals and groups seeking unprogrammed natural experiences.

History
Wood Lake was once a recreational lake, surrounded by homes, but much of its water drained in the 1950's. In 1969, the Richfield City Council approved the conversion of Wood Lake into a nature center.

The City of Richfield has supported Wood Lake Nature Center for over 30 years. Wood Lake - dedicated as the first municipal nature center in 1971 - was one of the first nature centers built in the Twin Cities.

In 1991, Friends of Wood Lake (FOWL) was formed as an advocacy and fundraising group.  In 2004, Wood Lake Naturalists provided programming to 17,660 people. That represents 24,560 hours of program time. Approximately 72,000 visitors a year visit Wood Lake for the trails and overall nature experience.

To maintain the park and support its plant and animal life, please observe the following guidelines:
-Stay on the trail
-Observe park signs
-No picking of plants
-No pets
-No bikes

 



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