Experience the Magic of Crow River Nature Park This Winter

Column for 02-04-26

     This is a reminder that we keep the Crow River Nature Park (200 Burr St. N.) open year-round.  The parking lot is plowed, the trails cleared, and, for us hardy Minnesotans, one unheated restroom is kept open and stocked.

     The park gets a considerable amount of use in the winter.  And why not – it is incredibly beautiful down there this time of year.  The silent, sleeping, and snow-filled woods, the frozen river with sparkling flowing water in areas, the fact that windy weather is subdued by the trees and river-bottom landscape, and the quiet nature of very secluded park conditions during these cold days all make for a great place to escape the fast pace of our increasingly-crazy modern world.

     If you visit and don’t see anyone else there, don’t pay any attention.  Look at the tire tracks and packed condition of the parking lot, the many boot tracks – large and small – on all the trails, and the deer tracks that seem to be everywhere in the winter snow.  Embrace the solitude and know that keeping the park open in the winter is well worth the effort.

     Thanks to the hard work over the past few years of Mike Monnens and Joseph Lang, our one-mile network of trails is kept open and groomed for walking without skis or snowshoes.  The tremendous support we receive from so many has allowed us to purchase and maintain an incredible high-powered, two-track, all-hydrostatic snowblower that makes this all possible.

We’re looking forward to once again hosting our annual Moonlight Meander on Saturday, February 28^th, 6 – 9pm.  We line our trails with over 400 candle luminaries and invite the public to enjoy the magic of the winter woods at night.  Thanks to all the churches and organizations who sponsor bonfire stops and help set out the luminaries that are so enjoyed by many.  Thanks also to Mr. Bill Virant, who organizes those fire stops every year.  They truly make this the enchanted evening that it is.

     As always, we’ll keep our fingers crossed for good weather.  We have only cancelled the Meander twice – in 2018, when a major snowstorm forced us to cancel at the last minute, and in 2021 for Covid.  We have never cancelled for cold temps.  Remember – we’re Minnesotans.  We don’t have enough sense to come in out of the cold – especially when there are warm fires and friendly folks to stand by!

     This year will be our 15th annual Moonlight Meander.  We’ll see you at the park!