Lowry Nature Center was the first public nature center built in the Twin Cities. The building’s architecture is prairie-style to match the landscape of Carver Park Reserve where it is located. Families can check out seasonal interpretive displays, visit live animals and observe birds through the viewing windows. Lowry offers free and inexpensive family programs throughout the year, mostly on weekends. During the week it hosts both preschool drop-off programs and those a caregiver attends with the child. The Habitats play area will not reopen in the spring of 2021. Instead, it will be removed because of safety concerns with the aging equipment. Three Rivers will reopen the area as a nature exploration and play area later in the year. Long-term decisions will be made later as part of the Park’s master plan. Lowry regularly offers FREE programs where the public can see Minnesota raptors up close or learn how wild songbirds are trapped, studied and banded. Both programs include an educational component, where a naturalist will teach a little about these birds. These programs are appropriate for families with kids of all ages. Three Rivers and AUSM have partnered to offer “Sensory-Friendly Sundays,” on the fourth Sunday of each month from 9 a.m. – noon, at Lowry. In an effort to reduce stress that can be caused by new experiences at the park, Three Rivers has created this program to include support from trained staff and volunteers and a comfortable, welcoming environment for everyone. Noise-reducing headphones, ear plugs, nose plugs, sunglasses, variety of fidgets, weighted blankets, and other sensory supports will be available to borrow on these days as will a space to take a break. The park also plans to add sensory signage, online social narratives, and virtual tours This program is free and open to all ages. Find the next Sensory-Friendly Sunday on our special needs calendar. Some Three Rivers parks, including Lowry Nature Center, rent out sleds to use on their sledding hills, which they claim are among the best hills in the Twin Cities. The hill is close enough to Lowry Nature Center, that sledders can use the restrooms and purchase refreshments when needed. Bring your own sled or tube or rent one from the Nature Center. Sledding is free and unsupervised. As with any Three Rivers programs, adult supervision is required. Three Rivers closes sledding hills when the conditions and weather are uncooperative. Find the current condition of sledding hills here. 
Related Articles
Family Programming
The Nature Playground at Lowry
Bird Banding and Raptors Up Close Events
Sensory Friendly Sundays at Lowry Nature Center
Lowry Nature Center Sledding
The Family Fun Twin Cities Directory is the most extensive collection of companies, organizations, activities and places to find things to do with kids in the Twin Cities.