Nature at your doorstep In 1855 the Minnesota Legislature organized Carver County with a population of 352. Waconia was founded two years later.
Nature’s beauty is on full display at Carver Park Reserve. If you enjoy meandering walkways that take you through wooded forests, open prairie, along the shores of small lakes and over rolling hills, Carver Park Reserve will offer you this and more. Located just six miles east of Waconia on County Road 11 the massive 3,500 acre nature reserve also offers bike paths (gravel and paved), picnic areas, restroom facilities and more. At the heart of Carver Park Reserve is Lowry Nature Center, which yearly attracts groups of adults and school children as well as families for weekday and weekend programs. Programs focus on the park reserve’s abundant natural resources and range from fall migration waterfowl watches at Fred E. King Waterfowl Sanctuary with its viewing blind, to the springtime ritual of maple syrup making, to star gazing in the summer. The park’s deer population roams freely and may be viewed from the nature center. 33
Many park users have also noted that deer can often be seen slipping through a thicket of trees or standing motionless as bikers and walkers stroll through the reserve.
So Much To Do • Lowry Nature Center. View the exhibits and wildlife or attend a scheduled program or class. Telephone, 763-694-7650. • Public picnic area, group picnic area available for a fee by reservation. • Public campground (no electricity or showers) with swimming beach and small play area. • Fishing with boat launches on four of the park’s six lakes. • 8-5 miles of paved bike trails,14.5 miles of turf hiking trails, 6 miles of horseback riding trails; trailer parking available. • Waterfowl viewing blind at the Fred E. King Waterfowl Sanctuary. • Winter sliding hill and ice skating pond.