Wood Lake Nature Center facts for kids
Wood Lake Nature Center is a special place in Richfield, Minnesota. It's a nature preserve that covers about 150-acre (0.61 km2). This means it's a protected area where nature can thrive. At Wood Lake, you can find different kinds of natural areas. These include a beautiful lake, a forest with many trees, a marshy area with tall cattails, and even a restored prairie.
Explore Wood Lake Nature Center
This amazing center is a perfect spot to explore nature. You can walk along three miles of trails and boardwalks that go all around the lake. Imagine strolling over the water on a boardwalk! There are also special shelters where you can watch animals. You can find docks for getting closer to the water, and a picnic area if you want to bring your lunch. There's even an outdoor amphitheater for events.
At the Wood Lake Nature Center, you'll find an Interpretive Center. This center has friendly naturalists who work there. Naturalists are experts who teach people about nature. They offer classes all year long for both kids and adults. These classes help you learn more about the plants and animals living at Wood Lake.
A Look Back: Wood Lake's History
Wood Lake wasn't always a nature preserve. Long ago, it was a lake where people went for fun. Homes were built all around it. But in the 1950s, most of the water from Wood Lake drained away.
The city of Richfield saw a chance to create something special. In 1971, they officially started the Wood Lake Nature Center. Since then, it has become a wonderful place for people to connect with nature.
Helping Wood Lake: Friends of FOWL
In 1991, a group called Friends of Wood Lake (FOWL) was started. This group helps support the nature center. They work to raise money and spread awareness about Wood Lake.
FOWL organizes fun events to help the center. Two of their main fundraising events are the Urban Wildland Half Marathon and 5K Race. They also have the Friends of Wood Lake Golf Klassic. These events help make sure Wood Lake Nature Center stays a great place for everyone.
