Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center
ATTENTION PLEASE
SUNFISH LAKE PARK BUCKTHORN REMOVAL PHASE 2 MARCH 11TH UPDATE:
HEAVY EQUIPMENT USE IS FINISHED FOR THE SPRING DUE TO SOFTENING SOIL.
BURNING IS COMPLETE, ALL TRAILS ARE OPEN
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center Winter Hours
We try to keep this information current but road conditions are not always predictable.
Currently the Park entry road has three low areas with water-filled potholes, drive slowly!
Exit road has small potholes but is easily passable.
Please call Reception phone 651-408-2838 for the latest information
Monday 9 AM – 3 PM
Tuesday 9 AM – 4 PM
Wednesday 9 AM – 4 PM
Thursday 9 AM – 4 PM
Friday 9 AM – 4 PM
Saturday 9 AM – 3 PM
Sunday 11 AM – 3 PM
Our Summer Camp registration is now open, click the “Summer Camp Registration” tab above.
The snow conditions are beautiful, Friday March 10th- Dave, our weatherman, measured 17.5 inches of remaining snow and melted it down to 3.5 inches of water! A quick thaw would not be pretty. The snow is crusty but the large sledding hill is usable. Lake Elmo Public Works has packed some of the trails for your convenience. 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.
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 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
Activities to Download – Christa’s 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.
Think Spring – as you are looking out at the snow, 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.