Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo
About • Location • Activities • Ecology
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Overview |
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Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo is a County of Olmsted park less than 20 minutes west of Rochester. The 620 acres of mostly woodland span both sides of a bend in the Zumbro River, South Branch, Middle Fork. It includes about 12½ miles of hiking trails. The trails pass through moist oak-hickory forest along the river, through drier oak forest along the crests and upper slopes of the river bluffs, and around a restored or recreated prairie carved out of the woods at the bluff top. Some of the trails are narrow footpaths through dense forest, some are two-track seldom used utility roads through more open woodlands, some are wide mowed paths skirting the prairie. Oxbow Park contains two native plant communities. Seven plants with conservation status in Minnesota are found here, including handsome sedge, an endangered species, and rattlesnake master and white wild indigo, both special concern species. The Nature Center and Zollman Zoo are open from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. They may not be open yet when you arrive early in the morning, and may be already closed when you finish your hike in the late afternoon. |
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History |
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Management |
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Location |
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Maps |
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Printable Map(s) with GPS coordinates |
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Size |
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620 acres |
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Parking |
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5731 County Road 105 NW N44 4.958, W92 39.060 |
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Hours |
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Zollman Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oxbow Park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oxbow is closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving day, and Christmas day. |
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Fees |
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Park: No fee Zoo: Free (donations encouraged). |
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Driving Directions |
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| Olmsted County | ||||||
| Southeast Minnesota | ||||||
Activities |
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Hiking Trails |
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About 8 miles |
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Hunting |
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No hunting |
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Ecology |
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Ecological Classification |
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| Ecological Province | Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province |
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| Ecological Section | Paleozoic Plateau |
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| Ecological Subsection | Rochester Plateau |
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| Land Type Association | Chester Ridge Stewartville Plain |
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Native Plant Communities* |
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Oak - Shagbark Hickory Woodland Southern Mesic Maple-Basswood Forest |
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| * Source: The Minnesota Biological Survey, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological Resources | |||||||
Natural Features |
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Visitor Photos |
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Wayne Rasmussen |
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Oxbow Co Park & Zoo, Olmstead County The idea of a new park for Olmsted County was fostered by the Olmsted County Park Board and residents of the ark area. The initial 465 acres of land were purchased in 1967. Located in the Zumbro River Valley, the area offered ideal recreational opportunities. A large bend in the river, called an "oxbow" because of its resemblance to an ox yoke, gave the park its name. This "oxbow" has been preserved through bank stabilization and now surrounds the main picnic area. During the years since 1967, the park has been transformed from farm fields into a beautifully preserved area. A zoo was established in 1969 with the donation of native Minnesota animals from John Gilbertson, the regional game warden at that time. This zoo is now an integral part of park activities. In 1974, an additional 107 acres north of the park were purchased, protecting the park from future development. This brought the total size of the park to 572 acres. A nature center, completed in December, 1981, is located near the zoo. This facility expands both programming potential and work capabilities at the park and offers additional exhibit areas for public use. The uniqueness of Oxbow Park is found in the amount of public participation and support it has received since its founding. The dedication of park visitors to its well-being has made Oxbow a favorite spot for many in southeastern Minnesota. —from Olmstead Co site |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Park Entrance |
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Parking Lot and Federal Signal Modulator |
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Visitor Center |
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Zumbro River, South Branch, Middle Fork |
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Oak - Shagbark Hickory Woodland |
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Zumbro Trail |
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North Meadow Trail |
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Bluff Top Prairie |
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1st Bridge |
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Slideshows |
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| Oxbow Park Richard Sanders |
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About
No description |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Let's Go, Minnesota! (Episode 105) Oxbow Park w/Mark Hall KSMQ Public Television |
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Jul 27, 2018 Hiking on the Maple Trail with host Brenda Piekarski and special guest Mark Hall. Enjoy the beautiful golden colors, and check out Mark's glass blowing studio. (Legacy, MPTA, KSMQ, 7-28-18) |
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| New nature center planned at Oxbow Park ABC 6 News - KAAL TV |
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About
May 19, 2021 (ABC 6 News) - A new nature center with a price tag of more than 7 million dollars is being built at Oxbow Park. A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new center Wednesday. The current building was built in the 1980s and was never meant to handle the traffic the facility has grown to expect. "What we have here is a gem of southeast Minnesota with respect to nature, learning about nature, experiencing nature. It's a place that people from far and wide come and enjoy and as we get our new nature center, they will come from even further and enjoy and learn and be part of this very, very special place," Senator David Senjem said. The project will cost over 7 million dollars with funding from multiple places. 2.1 million comes from the state's parks and legacy fund while Olmsted County is contributing 3.5 million dollars. The Friends of Oxbow Park organization is hoping to raise 1 million from the public and donors to pitch in as well. "There's basically three different funding pools that are really helping push this along. We have always had really great community support for this park and I don't see anything less coming from this building," Olmsted County Park Director Karlin Ziegler said. The building will take about a year to construct and the additional amenities including a new entrance will be unveiled next fall. |
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| Oxbow Park Hike, Byron , MN Wilter's World |
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Published on May 18, 2015 Savannah and I go on a hike in Oxbow Park, Byron, MN. Peaceful nature trail. Enjoy and get out there! Wilter's World. |
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| Oxbow Park Promo Olmsted County |
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Published on Jun 2, 2014 A short promo video about Oxbow Park and what it has to offer. |
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| Federal Signal Modulator 6024 Oxbow Park, Minnesota Aaron Nepstad |
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About
Published on Aug 6, 2014 Here is my video another county park modulator. I have recored this one couple time but I wanted to get it 1080p and have the two voice messages. it was great to watch all of the parents and kids reactions to the FSK and The test |
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| An Autumn Walk at Oxbow Park nibimocs |
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Published on Oct 17, 2015 Come along with me as I walk through Autumn Splendor. Filmed at Oxbow County Park, Byron, MN on October 14, 2015. |
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| Oxbow Park.m4v Kyle D Traynor |
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About
Published on May 19, 2012 Oxbow Park Trail, Byron, MN. Saturday, May 19, 2012 |
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_04.jpg "prairie fleabane (var. strigosus)")
Created: 7/1/2016
Last Updated: