Elm Creek Park Reserve, coming in at 4,900 acres, is the largest park located in Three Rivers. This place has got it all–including the Winter Recreation Area, Eastman Nature Center, fishing spots (lakes and ponds included), hiking and biking trails, a swimming pond for cooling off on hot days, and much more. Furthermore, if you’re an animal lover or enthusiast of any kind, Elm Creek Park also boasts a variety of wildlife.
The Nature Center is hidden in the south part of the big park reserve. It has interactive exhibits for kids, live animals, a library, and an indoor scavenger hunt. Kids can have fun borrowing an exploration kit to take with them on the trails outdoors. These include things like binoculars, nature checklists, and more information about the natural elements they might find. Be sure to stop and play in the Nature Exploration Area!
Elm Creek Swimming Pond is the perfect place to cool off this summer. The pond offers a mix of pool and lake, with filtered chlorinated water and a sandy beach bottom. There are also giant beach umbrellas for those who need some relief from the sun. Other amenities include a changing shelter, a concessions stand, and bathroom facilities. Please note that passes are required for everyone over the age of 1 year old, and cost $5 per person for a daily pass or $18 per person for a seasonal pass.
This is a wonderful location for bird-watching. You may simply want to begin at the nature center, where the staff maintains bird feeders if you have little children. Alternatively, go for a stroll and look for birds like red-tailed hawks, wood ducks, and trumpeter swans. The nature center provides adventure backpacks or you may make your own journey using the Birding Checklist.
The Wood Duck Management Program of the Three Rivers Park District maintains and monitors wood duck boxes at this location. According to records, on average, 8 ducklings are produced in these boxes each year. In the spring and fall, according to Three Rivers, the best times to observe wood ducks, swans, and other water birds are.
Elm Creek is one of three pay-to-play disc golf courses in the Three Rivers district. Featuring 18 holes, it starts at the chalet and follows the cross-country ski trails, tubing hill, and terrain park. The course features two par-4 holes along with other championship-caliber holes that demand distance as well as accuracy. Availability for playing is dependent on factors such as weather conditions and recent maintenance of the course. For those looking to play free of charge, some recommended places nearby include Hyland Visitor Center or Lake Minnetonka Regional Park.
Driving Directions To TheMLSonline, a Maple Grove Real Estate Company, From Elm Creek Park Reserve
Driving Directions To Elm Creek Singletrack Trail
