A hidden gem nature destination, Springbrook Nature Center is located in Fridley just off University Avenue across from Northtown Mall and tucked behind the Walmart. The park has 127 acres of diverse native habitats and wildlife, including prairies, oak and aspen forests, oak savannah, and extensive wetlands. Among its features is three miles of hiking trails, floating boardwalks, and an interpretive center with live animal exhibits. The park and interpretive center are free to visit and there is plenty of free parking. Restrooms are found inside the nature center. The Interpretive Center was been completely rebuilt in 2016. Visitors will find interactive exhibits, live reptiles, amphibians and fish and amenities like a water bottle station and restrooms. The 2016 renovation more than doubled the indoor space, with added exhibits as well as classroom and event space. Besides the aesthetic beauty of the building, it was built to be sustainable with bird-friendly glass, geothermal heating & cooling, pervious concrete parking lot and a green roof. One of my kids’ favorite exhibits, was a giant anthill tunnel that they could crawl through. They also enjoyed playing with the natural blocks, and viewing the live snakes on display. Parents will appreciate that the updates also include practical things like a water bottle filling station and family restrooms. As part of the second phase of the park’s update, an outdoor amphitheater and nature based play area were added. In the warmer months, this is a nice children’s play area for young kids (and adults) to dig in wet sand and get creative with natural elements. The nature play area remains open all year, but the water pump is turned off during the frozen months. Dress for the weather. Springbrook is a nice place for a family walk (or snowshoe in the winter). There is an inner and outer trail so families can choose the length and difficulty of their hike. As with any woodsy walk, don’t forget water bottles, bug repellent, and sun protection. We had no problem pushing a jogging stroller through the paths but left it on the trail when we explored deeper. Stop by the Interpretive Center to check out a free activity backpack. Topics rotate and backpacks available for check out daily, on a first come first serve basis. Leave your pup at home for this trip. The center offers a variety of both free and paid activities and events. Family fun includes Springbrook Nature Center’s events — all ages programming, concerts, outdoor exploration and an indoor interpretive center with fun exhibits. Sometimes staff offer online activities. Saturday Family Fun Days are the second Saturday of each month. Families are invited out to the park for an hour fun. Although each monthly program is different, families can expect to go for a hike, participate in an activity and enjoy a campfire in the woods. Participants should dress weather appropriate. Family Fun Days are $4 per person or $16 for a family. Public Bird Banding Programs run monthly at 6:30am in the summer months and 7am or 7:30am in the cooler months. Find dates on our calendar. Birthday parties at Springbrook are geared toward children ages 4-11 and last 2 hours, including 45 minutes with a naturalist. The park provides the room, tables, coverings, and chairs. Hosts bring any food, refreshments and special decorations. You will want to consult the park’s facility rental policies. Many party decorations and add-ons are not permitted (ie: streamers & confetti) or discouraged (ie: helium balloons). Outdoor Adventures is a private all-ages program for up to 15 people with topics such as survival, archery, pond exploration and insect discovery. Times available Monday-Sunday from 10am-11:30am or 2pm-3:30pm. Call 763-572-3588 for more information. This could be a budget-friendly option for a birthday group if you don’t need the party space. Find More Ideas for Birthday Parties in Parks: Twin Cities Birthday Parties for Kids: Party in the Park For DIY birthday parties, families can rent the the pavilion, which has a roofed picnic area, indoor space with a sink, refrigerator and microwave, as well as electricity and restrooms. Indoor spaces are also available to rent either with or without the outdoor pavilion. Call 763-572-3588 to learn more. Note that the pavilion is closed November through April. Summer camps are offered for weekly sessions June – August for kids ages 4-14 with half-day camps for the preschool age kids and full-day camps for grade school age children. We include Springbrook in our annual summer camp guide, where we update dates and prices for camps each year.
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