Closed November 26th, the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Current Schedule is 9 AM to 4 PM M-Tu-W-Th-F, 9 AM to Noon Sat and closed Sunday. Outdoor features and activities are available as shown below, the Park is open 6 AM to dark (half hour past Sunset).
The Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center Building is open, Board policy requires masks, we have free masks at reception desk.
Admission to Lake Elmo’s Sunfish Lake Park and to the Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center are free of charge. FREE events and programs are so marked. Registration and payment for most programs with fees is available on-line via Paypal, or contact the Event producer directly with the contact information shown..
FREE Kite Flying – Saturday December 4th at Noon
We are offering a kite flying event at Noon on the first Saturday of the month, weather permitting, organized by Board member John. Come and fly one of our kites, or bring your own kite to fly.
FREE Family Nature Exploration Saturdays 10-11am
Ami Voeltz, our Programs Coordinator, has launched a free Family Nature Exploration Saturdays Series from 10-11am . No registration is needed, just show up to explore nature!
November Family Nature Exploration Saturdays
December Family Nature Exploration Saturdays
FREE – Story Board Trail
The Friends have installed a story “Bear Snores On” by Karma Wilson illustrated by Jane Chapman, on the holders along the trail around the nature center. Bring your grandparents to walk the trail and read this story, before it snows.
Free – Outdoor features to see:
Prairie Plant Specimen Walk – visit the individual plants and then go look for them on the prairie
Rain Garden – helps keep runoff from the lake (not much runoff this Summer!)
Messy Play Area – stepping stumps, a canoeful of sand, and a very slow turtle ride
Benches for sitting and relaxing
Picnic tables
Air for your bike tires – fast, free, friendly self service! Just connect, pump, and ride!
The outside water dispenser has been turned off due to frost but water is available inside during open hours.
FREE -Regular Buckthorn Removal Days – Second Saturdays at 9:30 AM
December 4th is the next opportunity- please contact George at 651-757-5610 for details. We have the loppers, gloves, herbicide.
FEE- Julie Schroeder Art Workshops –
Contact Julie directly if you wish to register/pay for any of these workshops – website: livingwatercolours.com
Julie Schroeder <brushcolour@yahoo.com> or 651-352-5695
Thursday November 30th Alcohol Inks
Tuesday December 14th Watercolors
Julie A. Schroeder
Website:Livingwatercolours.com
FREE – Sunfish Lake Park Project on iNaturalist
Go to https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sunfish-lake-park to view the observations in the Sunfish Lake Park Project, or take pictures and upload them to the Project.
FREE – Scavenger Hunt printouts available
If you are taking a nature walk and would like to print out a pictorial scavenger hunt, Christa has made some, feel free to download and print them, by clicking on the Activities to Download tab above. Or pick one up at the Reception Desk at the nature center.
Sally Manzara Interpretive Nature Center 