About Us

"Diverse" would be a great word to describe the trails and lay of the land at Richardson Nature Center and the Hyland Lake Park Reserve. The reserve encompasses 1,000 acres and Richardson Nature Center occupies 150 of these acres with natural areas including prairie, mature woods, ponds and indoor and outdoor exhibits.

History

Richardson Nature Center was named in honor of Priscilla Morse Richardson who was largely responsible for purchasing the land and establishment of the nature center, which opened in the fall of 1970. The 3,500 square-foot building was remodeled in 1995. More than 7,000 feet of classroom space, an exhibit area and a public lounge area were added in 2001, making Richardson the largest of Three Rivers Park District's three nature centers.

What Can You do at Richardson Nature Center?

There are four separate, hiking only nature trails, that vary from less than a mile to two miles long. These trails are turf/woodchip and accessible to a strong person in a "cross-country" wheelchair. The Oak Trail, Aspen Trail, Lake Trail and Prairie Trail, as their names suggest, all travel through quite diverse habitats. The trails include opportunities to explore ponds, view wildlife from an observation deck, follow a self-guided trail, watch wildlife management projects, bird watch and a large array of other outdoor recreation and natural world happenings. All trails become snowshoe/hiking trails in winter.

Richardson Nature Center offers many indoor and outdoor exhibits and activities. Exhibits include live raptors, amphibians and reptiles.

Activities vary with the seasons and include apple-cidering, maple syruping, deer watch, snowshoeing, monarch tagging, a huge variety of public programs and special events, and viewing windows overlooking a managed backyard area designed to bring wildlife up-close. Richardson also offers programs to school groups. For school group information, contact nature center staff at 763/694-7676.

What happens after a prairie is burned? What can be done to control buckthorn? Who lives in a pond? What recreational opportunities can be done in a natural environment? Many, many questions can be generated, explored and even answered with a visit to Richardson Nature Center. Resources to help you learn include personal observations in managed wild areas, programs, naturalist staff on duty during building open hours, exhibits, directed recreational activities, special events, self-guided trails, and an inquisitive imagination. It does help to bring friends and family to share in this wild experience.

Room Rental

Rooms at Richardson Nature Center are available for rental. Call (763) 694-7676.

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