Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center
Our hours are:
Monday 9 AM to 3 PM
Tuesday through Friday 9 AM to 4 PM
Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM
We will try to keep this page updated with any changes due to weather, road conditions, or receptionist unavailability . Please call the reception phone number 651-408-2838 with any questions.
The snow conditions are beautiful, some of the trails are groomed, the City cleared the road and parking lot, and it would be a great day to try snowshoeing, use the large or small sledding hill, or make a snowman! Stop in at the nature center to try our snowshoes (adult or child size), then warm up with free hot coffee or tea, and clean indoor restrooms.
The cardinal is back – with the Dec15-16th snowfall
Holiday Decorating took place on December 12th – come see the results
The kids made paper chains, decorated cookies, and colored ornaments for the branches (no trees were destroyed). Then the more adventurous ones went snowshoeing. Some of the little ones filled little bags with birdseed or shelled corn as presents for the birds and animals, the plan is to put them out by the cameras to see who eats the seeds.
Winter has arrived at Sunfish Lake Park, bringing a beautiful white 4″ snowfall November 29th and another 7″ December 15th. Thanks to Lake Elmo Public Works for plowing the entry and exit roads right away! The Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center is open daily. Please check our website for open hours during the winter and holiday season, or snow-day adjustments. http://www.sminc-lake-elmo.org
Stop at the reception desk for a scavenger hunt sheet, a trail map, and other information, or check out kid’s binoculars, magnifying glasses, etc… Complimentary Coffee and Tea are available.
Help is needed. For volunteer opportunities, visit the Help Wanted tab above.
When you walk the trails in Sunfish Lake Park, look for the navigation signs and the QR code/compass direction indicators. The QR code links to the Trail Info page on this website, which will provide specific information about each marked point. The compass will help us who are directionally challenged to find our way, even on cloudy days!
If you plan to use the biking trails, please check https://trails.morcmtb.org/ for trail condition information. The Lake Elmo City Council voted to accept the Sunfish Lake Park User Group recommendation that there should be no hiking on the bike trails (also known as one-way single-track or mountain bike trails) and no biking on the multi-user trails, which are reserved for hiking, horseback, nature walks, skiing, snowshoeing, etc. The intent was to improve trail safety for all users by reducing the travel speed differences. User compliance will be appreciated by all.
The Sunfish Lake Park Trail User Group met September 12th to consider recommendations to the Lake Elmo Parks Commission for trail improvements. If you are interested in participating in this group, please email info@sminc-lake-elmo.org
Activities to Download – Christa’s new Nature Journal Pages have been added – check them out !! We are offering free downloads of nature-based activities – click on “Activities to Download” in the tabs above. These activities include illustrated nature Scavenger Hunt sheets, Nature Journal pages, Word Find Puzzles at different levels of difficulty, other Games, and Trail Guide information.
It is not too soon to Think Spring – as you are doing your Fall yard work, plan a DO IT YOURSELF POLLINATOR GARDEN for next year- attract and nourish pollinators. Click here to find links to various websites that provide help in setting up a pollinator garden on your own property – small or large! Information about native plant gardening is also found in the linked documents.
The Friends of Lake Elmo’s Sunfish Lake Park rely on donations to operate the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center as a community resource according to our Mission Statement. Please click on the “How to Donate” page and help us if you can.
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center 