Washington County Parks Quarterly Update

Step into spring at Washington County Parks! Soak up the sunshine and shake off the winter blues by getting outside to hike, bike, fish, swim, camp, and more. Enjoy upcoming programs including: Bird Hikes, History Strolls, Yoga in the Park, SUP Yoga, and Sunset SUP. New this year is Morning Yoga which will be available on Tuesday mornings beginning in June.

If you have not yet completed the 2020 Park Visitor Survey, please click the link below. Your feedback helps us see what we can be doing better and how best to allocate available resources.

Park Visitor Survey

Our goal while you visit the parks is to ensure the safety and well-being of all our visitors, employees, and volunteers. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic Washington County Parks has encouraged the social distancing guidelines that the CDC recommends in the effort to slow the coronavirus. When visiting the parks we ask that park users:

Stay at least 6 feet apart
Bring water with them
Not gather in groups
Wear a mask while inside park facilities

We appreciate everyone working together to keep the parks safe and accessible.

What's New?

Campgrounds Open April 30

Campgrounds at Lake Elmo Park Reserve and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park open April 30 and the 2021 camping season will run through October 17.

Note that due to septic improvements at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, water will not be available as of October 4. Fall rates will apply October 1. Vehicle permits are required in Washington County Parks - $7/daily or $30/annual. For more information or to reserve your campsite, please visit the Parks website.

Swimming Beaches

The Lake Elmo Swim Pond will be re-opening this summer. The swim pond and beaches will all be subject the current COVID guidelines around social distancing and occupancy restrictions. Additional information about the beaches will be added to the website as guidelines are updated and new procedures are finalized.

Day Camps at Washington County Parks

Washington County Parks is excited to be offering Summer Day Camps in 2021 providing a fun, healthy, and safe experience for your child as we follow MDH/ CDC and Washington County guidelines.

Online Registration

A Day in the Life

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a bird? To see the world through the eyes of an insect? To spend your whole life underwater? Join us as we use each day to explore these questions, making crafts, meeting special guests from Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, Bruce the Bug Guy, and so much more as we discover what it’s really like to spend a day in the life of our animal friends.

Outdoor Skills

Are you ready to boost your survival skills? How well can you prepare a campsite? Can you find your way with a compass, catch your own dinner, or identify plants and animals? Whether you are new to these skills, need some brushing up, or just want to spend time outdoors the Outdoor Skills camp is the place for you! Join us as we dive into these fun activities and learn or develop skills that can last a lifetime.

New Exhibition Opening at the
Historic Courthouse

Join Washington County Parks at the Historic Courthouse to explore how an object may communicate ideas, values and meaning with the exhibition, "The Life of an Object: Stories, Meanings, & Moments" opening in June 2021. Learn how the artifacts at the Historic Courthouse have been preserved and collected through the years tell not only the story of the building itself, but are also a reflection of a time, people, and community.

Community members can also participate. Do you have an object with a unique or interesting history to display? Call 651-275-7075 or e-mail historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us for more information.

Upcoming Programming & Events

Washington County Parks are currently planning to run all summer programs as usual, however programs are subject to change due to MDH/CDC and Washington County guidelines. Registration is required for all programs.

Register Online

April 10 - Bird Hike
St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park - Hilltop Pavilion, recurring program, check website for details

May 1 - Scenic Broadway Street History Stroll
Historic Courthouse - Park Office, 11am-12pm

May 6 - Yoga in the Park
Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Thursdays, recurring program, check website for details

May 8 - Bird Hike
Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park - Trailhead Kiosk, recurring program, check website for details

May 15 - Scenic Broadway Street History Stroll
Historic Courthouse - Park Office, 11am-12pm

May 29 - History Outdoors at the Historic Courthouse
Historic Courthouse - Park Office, 11am-12pm

June 1 - Morning Yoga
Lake Elmo Park Reserve, Tuesdays, recurring program, check website for details

June 1 - Sunset SUP
Square Lake Park - Boat Launch, Tuesdays, recurring program, check website for details

June 5 - SUP Yoga
Square Lake Park - Boat Launch, Saturdays, recurring program, check website for details

June 5 - The Life of an Object: Stories, Meanings & Moments
Historic Courthouse, Vault Exhibit, open June 5 - December 2021

June 12 - Bird Hike
Lake Elmo Park Reserve - Nordic Center, recurring program, check website for details

Story Strolls
Recipe Rambles are located at Big Marine Park Reserve and Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park. The Story Adventure Trail at Big Marine Park Reserve is currently featuring Swirl by Swirl, by Joyce Sidman.

Spring Self-guided or At-Home Activities
Washington County Parks offers many printable, self-guided activities you can enjoy in the parks or at home. Click here for details.

For more information or to view the full calendar of Parks events, please click here.

Job/Volunteer Opportunities

Now Hiring

Now hiring lifeguards for the 2021 summer season! Spend the summer working at one of the best outdoor beaches in the Metro. For questions about the position or possible reimbursement for the cost of a certification class, please contact JJ Williams, Guest Services Supervisor, at jj.williams@co.washington.mn.us.

Washington County Parks is hiring for a variety of seasonal positions, including: lifeguards, beach coordinators, outdoor recreation instructors, and seasonal maintenance assistants.

Apply Online

Volunteer Opportunities

Natural Resource Volunteering

The Lake Elmo Park Reserve monthly natural resource group is hoping to start back up again in June. Please check the Parks website in May for more information. If you would like to contribute in family groups or individually, please reach out or join the crew that has been helping restore an oak savanna behind the Nordic Center. A special thank you to Mike, Julie, Grace and Roger for all the work they helped accomplish this winter.

For more information, please e-mail the natural resource coordinator at dan.macswain@co.washington.mn.us.

Support Our Parks

Your generosity helps us enhance natural areas, improve trails and amenities, provide valuable education to youth, and preserve our county's history at the Washington County Historic Courthouse.

Complete a tax-deductible donation form or call 651-430-8370. For more information, please visit the website.