Wood Lake Nature Center

06/04/2026

Donate your old sneakers to Sneakers4Good. We are collecting gently used sneakers to give them a new life, keep them out of the landfill, and to raise money for Wood Lake Nature Center. Its a WIN-WIN-WIN!
Bring your sneakers to packet pick up July 24 or race day July 25 at the Richfield bandshell! Please tie shoes together with laces so they don't lose their match!

We want your sneakers!

We are collecting gently used sneakers to give them a new life, keep them out of the landfill, and to raise money for Wood Lake Nature Center. Its a WIN-WIN-WIN!

Bring your sneakers to packet pick up July 24 or race day July 25 at the Richfield bandshell!

Please tie shoes together with laces so they don't lose their match!

06/04/2026

PSA: Wood Lake’s Emily Day Park Entrance has moved! 🎉

Due to camp summer programming beginning next week, the Emily Day Picnic Shelter area will be fenced in from Lake Shore Drive. Visitors can now access the park via a new path from the north main parking lot. The trail head starts to the right of the portable restroom and follows the construction fence to the main trail. A ramp has been added to help with accessibility needs for the parking lot curb.

Look for the yellow “Park Entry” sign the next time you visit!

05/26/2026

🌿 SUMMER CAMP IS CALLING 🌿
Muddy boots. Frog songs. Fort building. Binoculars. Marsh splashing. Childhood memories made outside. ☀️🐸🪵🦉

This summer, give your child the gift of nature, adventure, creativity, and confidence at our Woodland & Marsh Nature Camps for PreK–6th Grade!

From pond dipping and bird banding to magical creatures and forest forts, every camp is designed to spark curiosity, hands-on learning, and a lifelong connection to the outdoors. 🌲✨

🦅 Birds of Wood Lake (Grades 3–6)
Learn binoculars, spotting scopes, nest box monitoring, and experience bird banding up close!

🐸 Marshland Explorers (Grades 1–2)
Splash, search, and discover the amazing plants and animals living in the marsh.

🪵 Forts & Friends (Grades 1–2)
Build forts, solve challenges, and explore the forest through teamwork and adventure.

🦊 Wild About Animals (PreK–K)
Perfect for little explorers who love animals, stories, outdoor play, and hands-on fun.

🧚 Magical Creatures (PreK–K)
Search for fairies and magical creatures while crafting and exploring woodland habitats.

🌧️ Muddy Wonders (PreK–K)
Dig, splash, and get gloriously messy while discovering the critters living in mud and wetlands.

✨ Naturalist Led - Small groups
✨ Hands-on outdoor learning
✨ Safe, nurturing environment
✨ Screen-free summer memories
✨ Designed to build confidence, curiosity, and connection with nature

Spots are limited and camps are already beginning to fill!
Tag a parent who needs this for their child’s summer ⬇️🌿

Visit woodlakenaturecenter.org to register!

05/26/2026

We have had some amazing bird sightings in the park! What birds have you seen lately? What birds are you still hoping to see this spring?

Join us at 8:30 am on Wednesday June 3 at the Lyndale Gate entrance for this months community bird hike. All are welcome! FREE.

PC: Christopher Boser and Richard Bachrach

04/17/2026

📣☔ Rainy Friday got you down? Come warm up inside with FREE-to-play nature board games!☔

⌚WHEN: 4/17/26 | 5:00 - 9:00 PM
🙋‍♀️WHO: All are welcome!
🌎WHERE: Richfield Community Center | 7000 Nicollet Ave in Richfield
🎲WHAT: Come play board games like Wingspan, Mariposa, Trekking: National Parks, Ravine, Ecosystem, and many more (or bring your own nature-inspired board game!)

Short on time? Feel free to bring dinner and set up a game!🍜🎲🦆

03/20/2026

📣🌸Come celebrate the first day of Spring this evening with some FREE-to-play nature board games!🌸

⌚WHEN: 5:00 - 9:00 PM
🙋‍♀️WHO: All are welcome!
🌎WHERE: Richfield Community Center | 7000 Nicollet Ave in Richfield
🎲WHAT: Come play board games like Wingspan, Mariposa, Trekking: National Parks, Ravine, Ecosystem, and many more (or bring your own nature-inspired board game!)

Short on time? Feel free to bring dinner and set up a game!🍜🎲🦆

03/09/2026

Run Wood Lake Nature Center's official 5K: the Urban Wildland! Join us on Saturday, July 25, 7:30 am, at Vets Park (by the Ice Arena entrance) and help raise funds for Wood Lake's environmental education program with the Richfield Public Schools.

Now in its 24th year, the Urban Wildland 5K features a flat, circular course that starts in Vets Park, travels around Taft Lake and through shaded residential neighborhoods before returning to Vets Park.

Enjoy the festivities at the finish line (music, food, camaraderie), admire your wood finisher medal (this year's is shaped like a turtle), and check in at the results table to see if you were a top finisher in your age/gender category.

Register now for the lowest price of the season (the cost increases as the race date approaches). Find the link to register on the page (Urban Wildland Half Marathon & 5K) and keep up on race news and announcements (coming soon: the race shirt color survey!).

02/25/2026

Line up your summer fun at Wood Lake....registration for 2026 Spring/Summer programs opens on Monday, March 2, 9:00 am. All of your favorites are back: youth summer camps, naturalist-led weekend programs, birthday parties, family programs, and more.

Take a look at the Wood Lake Spring/Summer Program Guide at woodlakenaturecenter.org, then log on at richfieldmn.gov/register and get ready to sign up for a summer of fun!

Para información en español acerca de programas de recreación visita la página richfieldmn.gov/programasrecreativas

02/19/2026

You've seen the progress on the Wood Lake building from a distance. Want to get a closer look? Join Wood Lake and Mortenson Construction staff on a site tour of the new Wood Lake building, conducted between now and June. Tours are free, but pre-registration is required. See the schedule and register at richfieldmn.gov/register (click Activities and search "tour").

Spots are still open for next Tuesday's tour (2/24) at 2:00 pm.

Full pants, boots or closed shoes required (no sandals). Helmet, vests, and gloves provided. Meet at the construction site gate (limited parking is available in the lot).

02/18/2026

Looking for a new cozy hobby you can do year-round? Come learn the basics of cross-stitching, one of the many embroidery stitches, and bring to life a small piece of nature to bring home!

Cross-stitching is a relaxing and creative hobby that allows you to visit with friends while creating art that can embellish clothing, serve as decor, or make a great gift.

Cost includes a kit with everything you’ll need to get started.

🌐Register here: https://bit.ly/4kMm9Qy (or scan the QR code in the image)
📆 February 22, 12:30-2:30 PM @ Richfield Community Center