Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center Fall Hours
Please call Reception phone 651-408-2838 for the latest information
Starting Dec 1st, our regular Winter hours will be: 9am-3pm Monday-Saturday, 11-3pm Sunday
Saturday December 23 we will close at Noon. We are Closed Saturday 12/24 Christmas Eve, Sunday 12/25 Christmas Day and Sunday 1/1/24 New Year’s day
Restoration of Sunfish Lake Park Phase 2 – Work Status / Trail Closures – December work plan update – basal bark work, Dec. 7
There is an eight-year program to clear buckthorn from Sunfish Lake Park and establish a controlled burn program to minimize its return. Please refer to “Buckthorn” tab for background information. Occasionally there must be a temporary trail closure for the safety of visitors. The week of December 4th there will be basal bark treatment in the northwest corner of the Park in areas indicated on the maps shown at https://sminc-lake-elmo.org/buckthorn/ (or click on tab Events, Programs, Projects > Buckthorn above).
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What to see and do at the Nature Center
In the building – AED, Honeybee observation hive, aquarium, exhibits, play area, free coffee, restrooms, cold water,
On our outside acre – Leaves have mostly fallen but buckthorn is still green, Prairie plant specimens, Rain gardens, Apothecary garden, Storybook Stroll, picnic tables, messy play area with sand canoe, benches, and grass.
What to see and do at Sunfish Lake Park
The Sunfish Lake Park has five miles of walking “multi-use” trails. Come and enjoy a beautiful day in the park. Stop at the reception desk, Complimentary Coffee and Tea are available, Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet, a trail map, and other information, or check out kid’s binoculars, magnifying glasses, etc…
Go to Sunfish Lake Park Trail Information:
Basic Information and Trail Map
Trail Sign Numbers and area descriptions
John Neitge’s Guide to the Hiking Trails of Sunfish Lake Park – click here and scroll down the page
If you plan to use the Biking Trails
Sunfish Lake Park also has about five miles of one-way single-track / mountain 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 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 meets occasionally 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
Friends of Lake Elmo’s Sunfish Lake Park is not affiliated with the City of Lake Elmo
Opinions expressed on this website and our social media accounts are not endorsed by the City of Lake Elmo. For Information about Park regulations please visit http://www.lakeelmo.org/lake-elmo-parks-policy or call 651-747-3900
Friends of Lake Elmo’s Sunfish Lake Park rely on donations
We 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.