This article was written by Emily Bowers, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Naturalist at North Mississippi Regional Park
Hot August days keep one predator of the sky busy, whether feasting on bugs in the prairie or on aquatic creatures in the river, dragonflies are demonstrating their incredible abilities all around us! Dragonflies are voracious predators throughout their lifecycle and actually spend more of their life as juveniles hunting under water than adults buzzing through the air. The adults are impressive eaters though and are able to devour hundreds of mosquitoes mid-air in a single day! Fascinated by dragonflies? Mark your calendars now for Dragonfly Snag & Spy on August 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t miss an afternoon full of dragonfly activities, art and games that will be a blast for any age.
Visit the Kroening Interpretive Center to borrow free outdoor exploration activities and materials through the Adventure Hub! There are a variety of items available for check-out, including river or prairie exploration kits for your chance to catch a dragonfly in the park. Materials must stay within park boundaries and are only available for same day checkout and return. Adventure Hub operates during our regular business hours M-F 9 a.m.-4:40 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sundays noon-4 p.m. Select Recreation Centers also have materials to borrow, available hours and activities vary depending on the site.
Get outside and into Nearby Nature, with self-directed, nature-based activities designed to enhance the experience of park goers of all ages while exploring parks. All Nearby Nature activities are free and no materials or registration is necessary. Share experiences and photos through #NearbyNatureMpls or send feedback to our email nearbynature@minneapolisparks.org.
Saturdays from 1-3 p.m. are Family Fundays at North Mississippi! Join us outside for active, nature fun in the park! Explore a different seasonal theme each week through self-directed scavenger hunts, nature walks and interactive skills development such as bird watching or animal tracking. All ages and experience levels welcome to enjoy the outdoors while activating bodies and minds in discovery! Naturalist staff will provide sanitized materials and instruction for activities that will be self-directed by individual households.
The Kroening Interpretive Center is open, now featuring “Nature in the City,” an exhibit that entices visitors to explore the natural worlds within North Mississippi Regional Park and other urban areas. Spend your summer on outdoor adventures discovering the wonders of the woods, prairie and riverfront.
Kroening Interpretive Center Outdoor Programs
- Nature Nuts – Wednesdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. $2. Ages 2-8 with an adult
- New Moon Stargazing– Thursday Aug. 5 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. $3. Ages 8+
- Campfire Game Night – Thursday Aug. 12 from 6-8 p.m. $2. Ages 6-18
- Dragonfly Snag & Spy – Saturday Aug. 14 from 11 a.m-3 p.m. Free. All ages
- Noticing Nature Hike – Thursday Aug. 19 from 7-8 p.m. Free. Ages 8+
- Hike: Riverside Stroll – Saturday Aug. 21 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Ages 8+
- Nature Art: Leaf Creations – Thursday Aug. 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. Free. All ages
- Bird Watching: Migration – Saturday Aug. 28 from 9-10:30 a.m. Free. Ages 8 +
Registration is required; sign up for programs at minneapolisparks.org/register.
Do you have a question about nature in your own backyard? Then send it our way by emailing northmississippi@minneapolisparks.org and it could appear in a future article.