Regional Park Friends

May 20, 2021

Olmsted County breaks ground on new nature center at Oxbow Park

From Friends of Oxbow Plans and fundraising are underway for developing a new nature center at Oxbow Park. Read the update on Olmsted County's website: "Olmsted County breaks ground on a new nature center at Oxbow Park" Watch project videoMore about the friends
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video still that shows rendering of Oxbow Park's new nature center
April 15, 2021

What can you do at Lashbrook Park?

From Friends of Lashbrook Park Take a leisurely walk or a more strenuous jog on the MOWED PATHS that crisscross throughout the park. Strategically placed BENCHES allow you to sit, rest, and enjoy the views. ​In winter you can use the paths and trails to ...
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April 15, 2021

Lashbrook Park and Friends History

From Friends of Lashbrook Park Friends Group History After meeting informally in the summer of 2008, in February, 2009 the Friends of Lashbrook Park elected its first officers: President Gloria Kiester, Vice-President Helen Lashbrook Olson, Secretary Ann Ness, and Treasurer Lola Fick. Lloyd Harkness was ...
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Lashbrook park sign with snow on the ground
April 5, 2021

P&TC issues 9 grants to friends groups for habitat restoration projects

Nine volunteer-led friends groups will implement habitat restoration projects at Minnesota parks and trails this year with funds issued by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota (P&TC). The projects include planting and protecting trees, removing invasive species, and collecting native plant seeds. The projects will ...
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shovels and trees that are ready to be planted
March 9, 2021

Spring News 2021 – Friends of Scandia

From Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails In This Issue William O'Brien pollinator survey Ecological management at Wind in the Pines Park Buckthorn removal Gateway Trail Extension Click image to download Go to friends' main page
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January 21, 2021

Meet the Friends of Chester Woods Park

This is a park that wholeheartedly welcomes volunteers. “There’s a whole culture of embracing volunteers within all Olmstead County Parks,” says Joel Dunette, one of the founding members of the friends group. In fact, the number of hours that volunteers contribute toward the park is equal to the staff hours.

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Eight people standing outdoors with buckets around waist to collect seeds
November 19, 2020

Friends of Oxbow – Fall 2020 Newsletter

From Friends of Oxbow In This Issue President's Note Zoodazzle Cancelled Raffle Tickets & Calendars Membership Renewal Scavenger Hunt Winners Exhibit Updates Ski & Snowshoe Rentals Photo by: Ashley Pethan/P&TC Click image to view Go to friends' main page
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snowy creek with animal tracks on bank
September 3, 2020

Exploring the Nature Play Areas at Chester Woods Park

From Friends of Chester Woods After participating in P&TC's webinar about nature play areas, Ernie with the Friends of Chester Woods decided to put together a video that highlights the nature play areas at Chester Woods Park. Tune in to the video below to learn ...
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nature play area feature
July 13, 2020

Family fun to be found during county park scavenger hunt

From Friends of Anderson Park Friends of Anderson Park partners with P&TC to offer a Scavenger Hunt activity for their park. Read the article in County News Review July 9 edition: "Family fun to be found during county park scavenger hunt" Photo: Courtesy of Zach ...
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bird statues in the prairie
May 26, 2020

Connecting with the Community through the Radio

Friends of Chester Woods found an interesting way to connect with their broader community—through the radio. We'll take a journey through the behind-the-scenes process that brought them on air. KRPR 89.9 is a Classic Rock radio station in Rochester, and every two weeks they host ...
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Chester Woods Park sign
May 7, 2020

Friends groups creatively connect people to their parks through activities

Friends groups thrive on bringing people together within the park or trail they support. They organize educational events, volunteer work days, and social gatherings. Now, within the context of social distancing guidelines, friends groups are getting creative in how they are connecting their community with ...
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April 13, 2020

Goats are Taking Over Chester Woods Park

From Friends of Chester Woods What’s more fun than watching goats at play? How about watching goats accomplishing much needed work for the parks while they do their goat ‘thing’? Faced with overwhelming amounts of invasive buckthorn, honeysuckle and overgrown brush in the park, Friends ...
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Goats roaming at the park
April 8, 2020

Spring 2020 News at Chester Woods Park

From Friends of Chester Woods In This Issue Goats for invasive species Bridge decking Volunteer hours in 2019 25th Anniversary of park Photo by: Friends of Chester Woods Click to view full story Go to friends' main page
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bridge re-decking over water
February 7, 2020

Friends of Scandia Parks Year in Review – Newsletter

From Friends of Scandia Parks & Trails In This Issue 2019 Highlights Educational Programs Park Stewardship GreenSteps City 2020 Vision Board Leadership Changes Photo by: Karen Schik Click to view Go to friends' main page
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A number of folks plant prairie plants in a flower bed
November 15, 2019

Eagle Scout Creates Two Canoe-In Campsites at Chester Woods Park

From Friends of Chester Woods It's no longer necessary to travel all the way to the Boundary Waters to experience primitive camping with your canoe. On a Saturday in September 2019, Preston Satzke along with family and friends installed two canoe in campsites on the ...
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boy scouts pose with a campsite sign