Below is a contribution from GMPT Member Lake Byllesby Park. For more information, please visit goodhuecountymn.gov/parks/byllesby_park/.…
Member Highlight: Oxbow Nature Center
Below is a contribution from GMPT Member Olmsted County. For more information, please visit olmstedcounty.gov.
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo have been beloved destinations for residents and visitors to the region for more than 50 years and are Olmsted County’s #1 attraction. However, the park’s nature center, built in 1981, was not sized to accommodate the tens of thousands of visitors that the facility sees in a typical year. Field trip classes and daily visitors encountered a cramped facility with lengthy queues for the restrooms and little space to relax or explore exhibits.
The need for a new nature center was identified in the park master plan, which was developed in 2016. Olmsted County Parks applied for their first Parks and Trails Legacy grant through the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) in 2019 for phase 1 and again in 2020 for phase 2 of the new nature center project. Phase 1 consists of the installation of a new city sewer system and construction of the new nature center building. Phase 2 was the demolition of the current Nature Center, construction of the entrance plaza, and outdoor landscaping. Construction of the building started in the spring of 2021.
The new Nature Center is just shy of 13,000 square feet, which is triple the size of the previous nature center. Visitors are welcomed into a vestibule with easy access to restrooms and drinking water, features that will better support the many groups that come to Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo for field trips. An exterior access restroom also provides a convenient facility for visitors when the nature center is closed.
The entry connects to Oxbow Nature Center’s expansive new Exhibit Hall, which showcases the geology, flora, and fauna of southeastern Minnesota. Live animal displays, educational exhibits with prompted activities, and areas for exploratory play excite minds of all ages and offer hours of discovery. A more secluded wildlife viewing area offers a relaxing place to spend time.
Beyond the Exhibit Hall is a large flexible programming space. The area is 3,000 square feet and has options to be divided into 2 or 3 separate rooms, allowing for multiple functions running concurrently or one large event space. Each programming space has a door to the patio area facing the woods for quick and easy access to the outdoors for classes and events. The event space can accommodate groups of more than 150 and has access to a catering kitchen and its own restroom.
The Nature Center also includes a wing for staff offices that support the day-to-day operations of the park, storage spaces for event setups and programming, and an equipment rental station to get folks out exploring the park’s trails.
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo have been supported by an amazing group of volunteers through the 501c3 organization Friends of Oxbow (FOX). The board organizes fundraising events and memberships to support the animals, exhibit expansions, internship opportunities, and educational programming. The FOX board had a capital campaign of raising $1 million towards the programming and educational components of the nature center, and they reached their goal in early 2024!
After a lengthy construction process, the Nature Center building had its grand opening on May 5, 2023, and officially opened its doors to the public. Staff and contractors then shifted gears to the exterior work for phase 2. The old nature center was now clear to be removed and a whole new entrance plaza was created to welcome visitors. The entrance to the zoo is now more prominent and welcoming for visitors as they arrive. A Swedish fence with large cedar logs draws you in and sets the stage for a unique experience.
There is a definite wow factor as you drive around the pine tree-lined road and turn the corner, as the view opens to a spectacular building and grand plaza guiding you to your next adventure!
Visitors have been very excited to see the new facility and have had great reviews. We hope this project will enhance the overall experience of our patrons and that it continues to create long-lasting memories that foster their appreciation for the parks and trails!
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