July 27, 2006: Westwood Nature Center (St. Louis Park)
Join the hiking group for a hike around the scenic Westwood Nature Center in St. Louis Park. The 150-acre nature preserve is devoted to passive outdoor enjoyment, environmental education and wildlife observation. Deer, red fox, raccoon, muskrat, mink and many species of birds live in the park. St. Louis Park is 10.8 square miles in size. In just over 115 years, it has grown to a city of more than 44,000 inhabitants. The Westwood Nature Center is one of the city’s 51 parks. Development in St. Louis Park was on a grid system for the eastern side of town, based on a street grid, street car lines, and railroads, and on a curvilinear system on the western side, which was a later development. The city incorporated in 1886. It was named for the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad. To avoid the chance that the village would be confused with St. Louis, Missouri, “Park” was added to the name. City founders linked the community to the railroad because they believed the railroad would help transform this village of 45 families in the mid-19th Century into a center of trade and industry.
If coming by car: Take I-94 west to I-394/Highway 12 and exit at Louisiana Avenue. Cross over I-394 going south (left) and just across the freeway, go west (right) on the frontage road, Wayzata Blvd, approximately 1/2 mile to Texas Avenue South and turn south (left). Proceed on Texas Avenue South to Franklin Avenue West and turn west (right). Watch for "Westwood Nature Center" signs after turning off Texas Avenue South. The nature center is located at 8300 Franklin Avenue West.
If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 9,55, 604, 643, 649, 663, 672, 675, 676. The closest bus service point appears to be the Louisiana Avenue Transit Center/Park-n-Ride station. From that station, the park will several blocks west. Follow the automobile directions from Louisiana Avenue. Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information
The group will recovene at a nearby restaurant for dessert or dinner after the hike.
Map to
8300 W Franklin Ave
St Louis Park, MN 55426-1959, the hike start point
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This page was last updated on July 27, 2006.
