Information provided by Three Rivers Park District.
Sap to Syrup
Sunday, March, 10, from 1-4 p.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Maple Grove. Learn the history and techniques of maple syruping. Watch how trees are tapped, how the sap is collected, and how it’s cooked over an open fire. See equipment and taste the final product. Drop in anytime. This program is free and open to all ages.
Gifts of the Maple
Sunday, March 10, from 3-4 p.m., at Richardson Nature Center, in Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Bloomington. Discover the maple syruping process. Watch sap boil in the evaporator, hike to see tapped trees, and taste real maple syrup. Trails to the trees can be icy, uneven, and moderately maintained; strollers are not recommended. This program is free and open to all ages.
My Preschooler & Me: Puppet Escapades: Syrup
Tuesday, March 12, from 10-11 a.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Animal puppets have adventures in the woods and fields. After the puppet show, stay for a short hike, craft or other activities. Cost is $4 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #212203-02. This program is for ages 2-6.
Homeschool Maple Syruping at French Regional Park
Wednesday, March 13, from 10 a.m.-noon at French Regional Park, Plymouth. Tap a tree, collect the sap, and watch as it’s boiled down to maple syrup. Make maple sugar and discover how Native Americans and the early settlers used this natural resource to help sustain their way of life. Cost is $5 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #224823-00. This program is for ages 5-17.
Preschool Drop-Off: Outdoor Kids Club: I Can Make Maple Syrup!
Wednesday, March 13, from 1-3 p.m., at French Regional Park, Plymouth. Allow your child to discover outdoor fun by learning a new skill each month. Each program includes hands-on activities, a theme-related story and outdoor time to experience the featured recreational activity. Cost is $10 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #225116-00. This program is for ages 4-5.
My Preschooler & Me: Trees and Maple Syruping
Thursday, March 14, from 10-11:30 a.m., at Richardson Nature Center, in Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Bloomington. Discover the natural world through indoor hands-on activity stations, stories, art, songs, games and outdoor exploration relating to a special theme each month. Dress for indoor and outdoor activities. Adults and children pay the program fee. Cost is $5 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #212903-01. This program is for ages 2+.
Maple Syrup Through History
Saturday, March 16, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at The Landing-Minnesota River Heritage Park, Shakopee. Follow sap from tree to tap and from syrup to sugar as you discover Minnesota’s rich history of maple syruping. Ride a trolley pulled by Percheron horses and visit with maple syrup makers from the past. Journey to the sugar bush with a naturalist and discover how the trees of Minnesota helped serve early pioneers. Cost is $5 for ages 18-64 and $3 for ages 2-17 and seniors, children under 2 are admitted free.
Maple Syrup Festival — Eastman Nature Center
Saturday, March 16, from 1-4 p.m., at Eastman Nature Center, in Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dayton. Stroll through the sugar bush and discover the old-time secrets as you collect and taste sap fresh from the tree. Warm up by the steaming cauldron and watch how sap is transformed into syrup. Drill and tap a maple tree and dash through a sap obstacle course. Play Native American and pioneer games. Taste maple syrup and learn how to make maple sugar and candy. Twenty percent discount for groups of four or more. $5. Ages: All. Drop in anytime.
Maple Syrup Festival — Lowry Nature Center
Saturday, March 16, from 1-4 p.m., at Lowry Nature Center, in Carver Park Reserve, Victoria. Celebrate the annual maple sap harvest and collect “sweet water” from the sugar maples and boil it down to make syrup on our traditional wood-fired, barrel-stove evaporator. Be a part of the syruping process from start to finish; learn how to find a maple tree without the leaves, help to tap a tree, taste and collect sap, watch as sap is being boiled down and learn how it is filtered and bottled. Make a craft and enjoy a taste of Lowry Nature Center’s maple syrup on ice cream! Cost is $5 and this program is open to all ages.
