hGale Woods Farm is a working, sustainable farm that is part of the Three Rivers Park District. You are free to come, wander around, and enjoy the beauty of the land during any season. What makes it unique is that it is an educational farm. While you may enjoy the park grounds at no cost, to be able to learn about the workings of the farm, you must schedule a group tour or attend a public program. There are lots of different animals that call the farm home. You can get up close to them during special programs such as Spring on the Farm, Saturday Mornings on the Farm and a fall event called Celebrate the Harvest. Gale Woods maintains a teaching garden, classrooms for educational programs and summer camps, a kitchen, and a play room set up for the youngest farmers with toy tractors, farm animal puppets, interactive quizzes, and books. Families can visit year round. A farm store is available to purchase meats, produce, gifts, books, and fibers/crafts, and other local treasures. Gale Woods Farm offers CSA shares as well. Gale Woods Farm has options for birthday parties for children ages 4 and up. During the warmer months of April through September party participants are invited to attend Saturday Mornings on the Farm program. Party guests can explore the farm, help with chores and participate in other farm activities plus have a private indoor classroom for your party. Call ahead to reserve a space. If you are willing to chance a first-come, first serve outdoor picnic table, you and your guests can grab a free table for a picnic and skip the fee for the party space. Any time of year, Gale Woods offers educator-led party. Like the Saturday Morning options, kids can explore the farm and meet animals, but it will be guided by an expert. Afterwards, you’ll have a private room for an hour to throw your own party. This option is limited to 15 children, ages 4+, and 6 adults. Availability is limited. For more information or to book a party, call 763.694.2001. The farm is among the 15 locations where Three Rivers Parks offers summer camps. Find up-to-date information on the Three Rivers Summer Camp page. We feature these and similar camps in our Twin Cities Summer Camps Guide to Nature & Outdoor Adventure Camps. According to the historical marker on site, Gale Woods was dedicated to the memory of Richard and Isobel Gale, who had established the original farm in 1923. Richard Pillsbury Gale (1900-1973) was a U.S. Representative 1893 to 1933. You can learn more about him through the Minnesota Historical Society’s records. The parkland was donated in 2000 by the Gale’s son, Alfred P. Gale. Besides the farm animals, families might be able to spot wood ducks on their visit. The park is part of the Wood Duck Management Program with other Three Rivers Parks. Wood duck boxes are placed on the lake and checked each winter to record use and count hatched eggs.
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