Address: 176 Jenks Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55117
Upcoming Events: Jump to Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary Events
Website: Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary, St. Paul
Park Hours: Saint Paul parks are open sunrise to 10pm.
Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary is a 40+ acre park located west of 1-35E between Norpac Road and Cayuga Avenue. It has family-friendly amenities that include hiking and biking trails, space for picnics and restroom facilities. The park is part of the larger Trout Brook Greenway.
5 Ideas for Family Fun at Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary
- Hunt for Dragonflies! The park provides a great habitat for these prehistoric creatures.
- Look for butterflies and bees in the pollinator-friendly perennial gardens
- Go for a family hike
- Bring the bikes and take a family bike ride
- Pack a picnic and eat outdoors
Habitat Restoration
Because the railroads completely changed the landscape and use of Trout Brook by leveling hills and valley, neighbors, civic leaders and the park board have been working to restore the park to its pre-industrial landscape. Look for volunteer events to further this goal.
Perennial Garden at Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary
Visitors in the summer months can check out the newly planted perennial gardens at this location. This park was one of three Saint Paul parks to plant perennial gardens in 2018. Trout Brook’s gardens are divided into two small spaces with four beds around the facility building. Plants include Honeysuckles, grasses and hydrangeas, offering both food and shelter to pollinators.
Historical Significance of The Land
According to Saint Paul Natural Resources, who manages this site, the valley in which the park is located was once home to the Mdwakanton Dakota and was used for hunting, fishing and harvesting of wild. Settlers began living in the area around 1840 and Edmund Rice built his first railroad in 1853.
Useful Links:
- Find a map of Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary Here.
- Register for St. Paul Parks Events and Activities
- Learn more in St. Paul’s PDF Publication, History of the Trout Brook Valley.
Share Your Experience/Tips:
We would love to hear your thoughts and parental tips. Share your experiences and any information you think other parents would find useful. Leave us a comment below.Upcoming Family-Friendly Events
- Dragonfly Bonanza - 06/24/2026 - 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again
Events TBA
Please Note: FamilyFunTwinCities.com is an independent website run by Twin Cities families for Twin Cities families. We attempt to include the information we find most essential as parents. We make every effort to keep up with changes. However, we are not employed by or connected to this venue, and information sometimes changes without our knowledge. We recommend calling or checking the venue’s website for up-to-date information.
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