Quarry Park SNA: Bedrock Outcrops, Wet Meadow/Prairie and Oak Woodland/Forest

Leaders: Jyneen Thatcher, Naturalist and MNNPS Board Member, DNR Representative

Come join other MNNPS members for part of a day exploring granite bedrock outcrops found throughout Quarry Park SNA as well as high quality wet meadow, wet prairie, oak woodland, and oak forest. This mix of communities supports rare birds and orchids and forms the most significant remaining example of the granite bedrock outcrop community in central Minnesota.

The site, on the southwestern edge of St. Cloud, is the within the Stearns County Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, a 250-acre park depicting the granite industry, historically significant to the area. Look for Minnesota’s largest population of the state-endangered tubercled rein-orchid among the scattered willow and dogwood lining the margins of the site’s wet meadows

Directions and Parking:  From Twin Cities, head north on I-94, exit CR 15 towards St. Cloud. Turn left on 7^th St/CR 137 to Quarry Park entrance. In Waite Park, from MN Hwy 23 0.65 mile S. on 10th Ave, then 0.75 mile W. on Co Rd 137 (7th St). Fee required ($5)

Field trips are open to MNNPS members only and pre-registration is required. To register, send an email to: Ken Arndt <ken.arndt@mnrinc.us>