Parks programs
Parks programs February- May 2025
Accessibility options: Olmsted County Parks offer a variety of accessibility accommodations for park visitors and our public programming. Ranging from accommodations for mobility like our Action Trackchair, sensory sensitivities including our free rental kits, American Sign Language interpreter, and a microphone/speaker system for improved acoustics for hearing with certain programs. We know everyone’s experience is unique. For more information on these resources, contact oxbow@olmstedcounty.gov or call 507-328-7340. Please let us know of needed accommodations at least two days in advance, two weeks for an ASL interpreter.
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo
The following events take place at Oxbow Park and are subject to change.
Saturday, February 15 at 10 a.m. – Great Backyard Bird Count
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s annual Great Backyard Bird Count is this weekend, February 14-17! Come watch the birds in the comfort of the Nature Center’s Wildlife Viewing Area to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world. A Naturalist will be there to help identify and count birds and share identifications tips and fun facts. Binoculars, field guides, and some seating is provided.
Saturday, February 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence
Cassandra Buck has been chosen by the Creating Belonging for the Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence pilot program to create a public art installation at Oxbow Park. During the month of February, Cassandra welcomes residents and visitors to join her in an exciting opportunity to collaborate on artwork that will inspire and become part of a public art display at the park.
**FULL** Thursday, February 20 at 11 a.m. – Homeschool Program: Animal Adaptations
Oxbow Park is now offering programs for homeschool families. Sign up is required by calling 507-328-7340 or emailing oxbow@olmstedcounty.gov. Fee is $5 per student ages 3 and up. This month we will learn about adaptations animals have to help them survive.
Friday, February 21 from 1 to 5 p.m. - Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence
Cassandra Buck has been chosen by the Creating Belonging for the Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence pilot program to create a public art installation at Oxbow Park. During the month of February, Cassandra welcomes residents and visitors to join her in an exciting opportunity to collaborate on artwork that will inspire and become part of a public art display at the park.
Saturday, February 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. - Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence
Cassandra Buck has been chosen by the Creating Belonging for the Minnesota Parks Artist in Residence pilot program to create a public art installation at Oxbow Park. During the month of February, Cassandra welcomes residents and visitors to join her in an exciting opportunity to collaborate on artwork that will inspire and become part of a public art display at the park.
Sunday, February 23 at 1 p.m. – All About Owls
It's owl courtship time! Let us show you WHOO they are, where they live, and how they live in our natural world. Live birds will be displayed.
Saturday, March 1, 11 a.m. - Canines of Minnesota
Learn about the canine species of Minnesota – wolves, coyotes and fox. Observe the natural behaviors and social interactions of these canines.
Sunday, March 9, 1 p.m. Year of the Snake: Program and Craft
Join an Oxbow Park naturalist to learn more about the Chinese New Year-Year of the Snake. Learn cool facts about Chinese culture, see and touch a snake, and complete a craft!
Saturday, March 15, 1 p.m. - Maple Syruping
Join Park staff for a brief history of maple syruping then hike to Oxbow’s sugar bush as we demonstrate how we tap our sugar maples. This program ends with a small sample of Oxbow Parks’ maple syrup! Dress for the weather and expect mud.
Sunday, March 23, 1 p.m. - Maple Syruping
Join Park staff for a brief history of maple syruping then hike to Oxbow’s sugar bush as we demonstrate how we tap our sugar maples. This program ends with a small sample of Oxbow Parks’ maple syrup! Dress for the weather and expect mud.
Saturday, March 29, 1 p.m. - Endangered Species
Come and learn about some of the latest information about endangered animals. The focus will be on animals of Minnesota and some common concerns and misconceptions will be addressed. Tour around the zoo to look at Zollman Zoo’s species of concern.
Saturday, April 6, 10:30 a.m. - Animal Feeding Time
Celebrate National Zoo Lovers Day (April 8th) by coming to Zollman Zoo and watching some of the zoo animals eat their daily diets. A naturalist will be present for questions.
Saturday, April 12, 10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Nature Art and Craft Show
Come out to the Oxbow Park Nature Center to shop at the second annual Nature Arts and Crafts show! Art includes watercolor, acrylics, woodworking, photography, ceramics, and much more! Partial proceeds go to Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo.
Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. - Turkey Calling
Listen and you can hear a thundering gobble crack the silence of a spring forest. Venture out with a naturalist to invade the wild turkey territory and talk turkey.
Snow rental equipment
Snowshoe ($5), cross-country ski ($5), and kick sleds ($5) rentals available when snow permits between the hours of 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Chester Woods Park
Saturday, February 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Youth Ice Expo
Project MN Youth Outdoors presents the 13th annual Youth Ice Expo! This is for ages 3-15. Please locate all information on their Facebook page. Search Project MN Youth Outdoors.
Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m.– Egg Carton Gardens
Let’s celebrate the daylight getting longer by getting an early start on some gardening! Kids will have a blast playing in the dirt and watching as their seeds eventually start taking off. Then when mother nature allows, they can be transplanted to your very own garden or pot! Space is limited so call 507-328-7350 to reserve a spot, by March 10th.
Thursday, April 10, 7- 9 p.m. - ZVAS Woodcock Hike
Every spring the Woodcock performs one of the strangest and most interesting mating rituals. We will try to observe it up close, beginning at dusk. Meet in the horse corral parking lot at Chester Woods County Park (southeast of Rochester, MN) at 7:30 PM.
Wednesday, April 16, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. RAVA Volunteer Fair
Come visit our volunteer booth at 125 Live and learn more about the volunteer opportunities at Olmsted County Parks, as well as many other opportunities in the Rochester area.
Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. - noon - FOCW Spring Clean Up Day
Join Friends of Chester Woods for the annual spring clean up day. Meet at the park office for coffee and doughnuts before heading out to the park to help get things ready for the busy spring and summer season!
Sunday, April 27, 9 a.m. - noon - ZVAS Bird Walk at Root River Park
Located just south of Rochester near Simpson, Root River has a nice 2-mile loop walking trail and good diverse habitat for a wide variety of birds. We'll look for early blooming wildflowers, newly arriving migrants like Golden-crowned Kinglets and Yellow-rumped Warblers, and other signs of spring. Dress for the weather. Meet in the parking lot near the picnic tables. Trails can be slippery when wet. This trip will be cancelled if it's raining harder than a light sprinkle.
Saturday, May 10 8 a.m. - noon - ZVAS Big Birding Day
This year’s event takes place at the peak of spring migration so we should see a wide variety of birds. Meet in the boat landing parking lot. If you didn't go to the earlier walks, we recommend you be at Chester Woods by 7:45 am in case we arrive early. - no pre-registration needed. Event will be cancelled if it's raining more than a light sprinkle or if thunderstorms are present.
Friday, May 23, 10 a.m. - Beach and Watercraft Rentals open for the season!