Saint Paul Parks and Recreation will offer interpretive hikes in Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary and Lilydale Regional Park in 2013
New this year: Themed Hikes & Frequent Hiker's Club*

*Frequent Hikers Club- Attend two hikes in 2013 and receive a Nalgene water bottle courtesy of REI, plus the chance to win other great prizes!

Hike It! Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary
Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary is a sacred site to the Dakota people and a beautiful urban oasis where visitors can enjoy nature and contemplate history. Once owned and used by BNSF Railways as a railyard, it has been restored to a more natural state featuring wetlands, prairies, and oak savannah. Volunteer interpreters will lead visitors along the trails on an hour long hike, connecting the past with the present and highlighting the human impacts, both positive and negative, on this unique site. Hikes will be limited to 20 participants (must have a minimum of 5 participants). This is a non-strenuous hike. Families are encouraged to come out and enjoy the hike together.

Hike It! Lilydale Regional Park
Did you know that Lilydale Regional Park was once a bustling town along the Mississippi River? Today, nature has reclaimed this beautiful park that boasts oak woodlands, floodplain forests and prairies, and a fascinating human and natural history. Volunteer interpreters will bring the park’s unique past to life on a one-hour hike from the river bottom up to Bruce Vento Overlook. Participants will hike back down the trail, on their own, after the hike concludes at the overlook. Hikes will be limited to 20 participants (must have a minimum of 5 participants). Children are welcome but please note that this is a moderately strenuous hike and a short portion of the trail is steep.


Hikes are free but REGISTRATION is REQUIRED!
Click here for the link to the active registration site


Hike It!  Lilydale and Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary 2013 Summer Schedule

June - Theme: Birds
Saturday June 22^nd at Lilydale 10:00 am
Activity Registration # 10080
Wednesday June 26^th at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary 6:00 pm
Activity Registration # 10082

July - Theme: Flora & Fauna
Wednesday July 17^th at Lilydale 6:00 pm
Activity registration # 10083
Saturday July 27^th at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary 10:00 am
Activity registration # 10084

August- Theme: Insects
Wednesday August 7^th at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary 6:00 pm
Activity Registration # 10076
Saturday August 17^th at Lilydale10:00 am
Activity Registration # 10077

September - Theme: Cultural History 
Wednesday September 11^th at Lilydale 6:00 pm
Activity Registration # TBD (please check back in August)
Saturday September 21^st at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary 10:00 am
Activity Registration # TBD (please check back in August)

October -Theme: Geology (only Saturday dates due to sunset times)
Saturday October 12^th at Lilydale 10:00 am
Activity Registration # TBD (please check back in August)
Saturday October 19^th at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary 10:00 am
Activity Registration # TBD (please check back in August)

Hikes are free but REGISTRATION is REQUIRED! 
Click here for the link to the active registration site

Lilydale Brickyard Trail Directions:
Lilydale Regional Park  Click Here for a printable PDF map  and Directions from Water Street to the Hike Location.
Lilydale Regional Park is right next to Harriet Island Regional Park. Click here for a Google Map link to the parking lot at Lilydale.  There is no formal address for the parking lot that can be recognized by mapquest or GPS.  A Hike It! A-Frame sign will be at the entrance of the parking lot to help guide you.

Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary is located at the corner of Commercial and East 4th Street
Click Here for a Google Map to the Sanctuary

If you are coming from the west, take the Mounds Boulevard exit off of Interstate 94, turn right, crossing Kellogg/East Third Street. Stay right, and take a sharp right turn on Commercial Street then go down the hill to the first intersection (Fourth Street).

From the east, take the Mounds Boulevard exit off I-94 and turn left before making a quick right turn on Commercial Street and following the directions above.



Group Hikes:  If you have a group of five or more people we can schedule a hike for your group at either of these parks depending on season and staff / volunteer availability.  For more information please contact: Faith Krogstad, Education Coordinator, at 651-632-2455 or . We hope to see you on the trail!