Wood Lake Nature Center

Wood Lake Nature Center is a nature preserve in Richfield containing marshes, woodlands, and prairie habitats spread across its grounds. Three miles of crushed limestone trails connect these different areas and allow visitors to walk through the landscape.

The site was a recreational lake in the 1950s until the water level dropped during construction of nearby Interstate 35W. This unexpected change led to its transformation into a nature preserve.

The site functions as an outdoor classroom where visitors can observe different habitats like marshes and grasslands up close. This direct connection to nature shapes how people of the area relate to their local environment.

The trails are accessible from early morning through dusk, while the center building keeps limited daytime hours. Special seating options are available at the entrance for visitors who need mobility assistance.

The center provides specially designed full-size mobility chairs at the front desk to help visitors explore the trails comfortably. These can be picked up on the spot or booked ahead of time.