Sundays @ Mayowood

General information: Time 12-3. Grounds will be open at no charge although there will be the usual charge for touring the house if desired. Folks may bring picnics (and a blanket for lawn picnics), a few picnic tables will be available and picnics could also be enjoyed in the teahouse. Master gardeners will be available to provide information about the historic landscape features. Photos of the hillside water gardens, circa 1936, will be on display. Activities for families are listed below. The original Mayo children’s playhouse will be open also. www.olmstedhistory.com/mayowood/mayowood.html

June 13: Carrie Nelson from Quarry Hill Nature Center will be banding birds from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Carrie brings many interesting props with her. Bird wing costumes and the giant bird nest will be available.

June 27: Charles H. Mayo II will be at Mayowood to share memories of growing up at Mayowood. Booklets for a history hunt to find items at Mayowood will be available.

July 11: Petting zoo with farm animals.

July 18: Birds (see June 13)

July 25: Jay Maier from Maier Forest & Tree has done a study of the trees that were planted or tended by Dr. Charlie. Jay will give a tour of the historic trees at 12:30. Joel Dunnette, master naturalist, will do a nature walk, appropriate for all ages, at 1:45. Other activities are bark rubbing and leaf prints.

August 1: Fairy: Build a fairy house (the house is part of a village and will remain at Mayowood). Learn fairy lore; fairy costumes available.

August 8: Bugs and Butterflies: Monarch butterflies and caterpillars on display. Learn about their life cycle.

Prairie Walk @ Chester Woods

Chester Woods Park, 8378 Highway 14 East, Eyota. Entry fees are: $5 daily or $25 annually. $5 daily or $20 annually for Senior Citizens.

Chester Woods offers a number of programs that are open to the public and are fun for families (see list of upcoming events below). For more information call 285-7050 or visit www.co.olmsted.mn.us/parks/chester_woods.asp. On the day of the event, if the weather looks questionable call 285-7050 to see if there have been any changes made to the program.

• PRAIRIE WALK- Sun., Jun 13th at 3:00 p.m. The park has several types of prairie, and active management is improving the outlook for prairie plants and animals. See bluff prairie in early summer splendor, and hear how further brush clearing will allow more bluff prairie to thrive in the sun. Joel Dunnette will lead the mile walk to the main bluff prairie. Meet at the boat ramp.

• SUMMER SOLSTICE HIKE- Sun., Jun 20th at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Hike the 2.4-mile Dam Overlook Trail and learn the history and the facts behind Chester Woods Park dam and Bear Creek reservoir. This is a great opportunity to view the abundance of wildlife throughout the woodlands and prairies. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy a picnic at the Dam Overlook. Special accommodations can be made for senior participants by calling the Park Staff at 507-287-2624. Meet at the boat ramp. By presenting a Rochesterfest button the vehicle entry permit will be waived for the day. All ages are welcome.

• NATURE WALK- Sat., Jul 10th at 9:00 a.m.
Get some fresh air and enjoy an exciting morning hike at Chester Woods Park. This is a great opportunity to view the abundance of wildlife throughout the native and restored prairies. Nature Walk led by Jim Peterson. Meet at the boat ramp. All ages are welcome.


• ANNUAL BUTTERFLY COUNT- Sat., Jul 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join Joel Dunnette and other volunteers for the 12th annual butterfly count. Explore the prairies and enjoy the diversity of butterflies. This is a great time to learn more about the butterfly life cycles. Meet at the boat ramp. All ages are welcome.


• AQUATIC WONDERS- Tue., Jul 27th at 6:00 p.m. Learn about the aquatic life of Minnesota including Dragon and Damsel Flies led by Joel Dunnette. Meet at the boat ramp. All ages are welcome.

• PRAIRIE WALK- Tue., Jul 27th at 7:00 p.m. Join us to explore the wonders of one the largest prairies in SE Minnesota. We will view many of our native wild flowers, grasses, and birds and of course butterflies in one of the best habitats available. Prairie Walk led by Jim Peterson. Meet at the boat ramp. All ages are welcome.

Prairie Walk @ Chester Woods

Chester Woods Park, 8378 Highway 14 East, Eyota. Entry fees are: $5 daily or $25 annually. $5 daily or $20 annually for Senior Citizens.

Chester Woods offers a number of programs that are open to the public and are fun for families (see list of upcoming events below). For more information call 285-7050 or visit www.co.olmsted.mn.us/parks/chester_woods.asp. On the day of the event, if the weather looks questionable call 285-7050 to see if there have been any changes made to the program.

PRAIRIE WALK- Sun., Jun 13th at 3:00 p.m. The park has several types of prairie, and active management is improving the outlook for prairie plants and animals. See bluff prairie in early summer splendor, and hear how further brush clearing will allow more bluff prairie to thrive in the sun. Joel Dunnette will lead the mile walk to the main bluff prairie. Meet at the boat ramp.

SUMMER SOLSTICE HIKE- Sun., Jun 20th at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Hike the 2.4-mile Dam Overlook Trail and learn the history and the facts behind Chester Woods Park dam and Bear Creek reservoir. This is a great opportunity to view the abundance of wildlife throughout the woodlands and prairies. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy a picnic at the Dam Overlook. Special accommodations can be made for senior participants by calling the Park Staff at 507-287-2624. Meet at the boat ramp. By presenting a Rochesterfest button the vehicle entry permit will be waived for the day. All ages are welcome.

NATURE WALK- Sat., Jul 10th at 9:00 a.m. Get some fresh air and enjoy an exciting morning hike at Chester Woods Park. This is a great opportunity to view the abundance of wildlife throughout the native and restored prairies. Nature Walk led by Jim Peterson. Meet at the boat ramp. All ages are welcome.

ANNUAL BUTTERFLY COUNT- Sat., Jul 17th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Join Joel Dunnette and other volunteers for the 12th annual butterfly count. Explore the prairies and enjoy the diversity of butterflies. This is a great time to learn more about the butterfly life cycles. Meet at the boat ramp. All ages are welcome.