Nature in the City: See what’s in store at Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park
Address: 8300 W. Franklin Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55426
About Westwood Hills Nature Center
Located south of I-394 and east of Highway 169 in St. Louis Park, you might wonder if you are really headed towards 160 acres full of marsh, woods, and restored prairie when you are driving to Westwood Hills Nature Center. Tucked away in an unassuming residential neighborhood, Westwood Hills is a place to explore the natural world that is just a stone’s throw away from the heart of the city. Around each corner, you can find everything from a beautiful waterfall to a fishing pier to floating boardwalks. The preserve also features a large traditional and natural playground, winding trails, diverse wildlife, and numerous opportunities to learn.
Interpretive Center
Westwood Hill’s newly constructed Interpretive Center is much more than just a place to welcome visitors. It’s a place for education and exploration, where families can learn about the diverse nature within the park and its ecosystem. It also has several live animals on display- including a flying squirrel, a red-tailed hawk, and a barred owl.
Westwood Hills offers a variety of shelters and picnic tables, making it an ideal spot to pack a lunch and spend the day. It has a multitude of paved trails that make it easy to roll a stroller around. Another bonus: indoor restroom facilities make diaper changes a breeze!
Plenty of Playgrounds
To the left of the interpretive center, Westwood Hills features an expansive area for children to play. A favorite feature is their big slide, carved into a large hill. It provides a fun challenge for children to climb up before speeding down. They also have a natural water table for kids to race leaves on or splash in. Along with a traditional playset, there is a large natural play area, where you can build rock towers, structures out of wood, or engage in messy, muddy play.
Kids Programming
It’s one thing to study in a classroom, but quite another to be out in the environment you are learning about. Westwood Hills has programming offerings tailored for young learners who love the outdoors. Their “Monday Minnows or Tuesday Turtles” classes are for children aged 4-5 on Mondays or Tuesdays and are offered monthly. Kids will go on naturalist-led hikes, play games, and create crafts.
Weekly Puppet Story Time, held on Mondays and Fridays, is for all ages and features a new theme each month, such as Winter Birds or Turkey Tails. Kids ages two and over must pay and be accompanied by a paid adult.
Trail of Small Wonders
One of the most popular events at Westwood Hills is the Trail of Small Wonders. Each summer, the nature center hosts dozens of ornate fairy homes and dioramas, which are scattered throughout the park’s trails. This makes for a magical and wonder-filled treasure hunt for all ages! The event has become so popular that St. Louis Park’s Friends of the Arts has started offering a shuttle service and food trucks during their Opening Day Festival.
Related Article: Best Nature Centers in the Twin Cities for Families – Fun in all Seasons!
Nature Center Highlights
- An expansive nature area located minutes from the city, featuring a large natural playground and an excellent trail system
- Interpretive Center
- Natural Playground
- Family, preschool, and homeschool programs
Know Before You Go
- Website
- Nature center trails open sunrise to sunset throughout the year
- Interpretive Center Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Parking is available on-site, and nearby street parking is also available
- Check out their social media for updates and events
Mary McGuire is a mother of two young girls and freelance journalist based in the Twin Cities. Her current interests include searching for lost pacifiers, cleaning up crushed Cheerios, and sharing everything our great state has to offer with other families. Born and raised in Edina, Mary has worked in broadcast television for more than a decade at TV stations across the country.
