Eastman Nature Center
Nestled in the sugar maple floodplain forest of Rush Creek, this is a great place to begin an outdoor journey. Walk across the floating boardwalk, explore the miles of hiking and snowshoeing trails for a bit of exercise or visit the nature center. Hop on the bike trails of Elm Creek Park Reserve or sit quietly and watch the creek flow by. Visitors may see trumpeter swans, wild turkey, bluebirds, dragonflies and abundant native wildflowers.
Elm Creek PDF Maps
Eastman Nature Center Summer | Eastman Nature Center Winter
Find all printable maps of the park on the Elm Creek Park Reserve page.
Upcoming Events
Ongoing | Lowry & Eastman
Come study wild song birds with us! See birds safely trapped and tagged, and learn about why we do it.
Multiple Dates | Eastman
Join a naturalist for a hike to seek out birds. Binoculars provided for select programs.
All Programs & Events
See all upcoming programs and events at Eastman.
Nearly all of our program offerings can be adapted or modified. Please call 763-559-9000 (for relay services dial 711) or email access@ThreeRiversParks.org to request free modifications and learn about available options.
Discover the world of birding in the Young Birders Club! Learn all about native birds, and attend programs and events at nature centers in Three Rivers. Open to ages 9-12.
More About Eastman
Eastman Nature Center is named after Whitney H. Eastman, an avid birdwatcher and advocate of environmental education. The nature center has something for everyone. Floor-to-ceiling windows entice visitors to do some indoor birdwatching. (Use this checklist and guide to record your observations!) Children enjoy hands-on activities, dressing up in costumes and putting on a puppet show in our puppet tree. Live reptiles and amphibians add to the rotating interpretive displays throughout the building. The building also has a quiet reading room, a screened in and open air deck, large classrooms and an after-hours restroom.
Opportunities to enhance your experience along the trails are available through trail guide sheets, exploration kits and interpretive signs. Just down the trail, let your children play "wild" in the nature exploration area. Kids can dig, climb, make a fort or dam and engage their imaginations, while adults play along or observe nearby.
Groups
The professional naturalists at Eastman Nature Center offer outdoor education programs for schools, scout troops, senior centers, homeschools and other organized groups.
Virtual Tour
Rooms in the Eastman Nature Center can be rented to host meetings, retreats, family gatherings, birthdays, small weddings and receptions, and other events.
Wild Birthday Parties are offered year-round and are appropriate for children age four and older. Nature-based topics range from pond insects to birds, and snowshoeing to live animals.
Join other teens in the Naturalist Youth Leader Program or help care for the animals that live at Eastman. Three Rivers offers several volunteer and internship opportunities in the parks.
Volunteering
We rely on the support of volunteers to maintain the high quality programs and operations at our nature centers.
Give to Eastman
Love Eastman Nature Center? Consider supporting its outdoor education programs, displays and animal care with a donation.
#threeriversparks
The Wandering Naturalist
Episodes 161: Breaking Trail
In this bonus episode, aspiring winter backpacker and thru-hiker, Emily Ford, shares the remarkable journey of being the first woman to thru-hike Wisconsin's 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Hiking Trail in winter.
Related Blog Posts
2022: Three Rivers Parks’ Big Year of Birds
By: John Moriarty
We’re all about birds in 2022! Learn why Three Rivers is celebrating these important creatures throughout the year and how you can join in.
Pathways Into the Parks
By: Harshita Somani
The Pathways Internship program introduces teenagers to various roles throughout Three Rivers Park District, giving them an opportunity to explore different career paths. Follow along with Harshita Somani, the 2021 marketing intern, as she relays her experience in the program this summer.
A Legacy of Service: How One Volunteer Gave 10,000 Hours
By: Katie Brom
Since 1988, Gene Lau has given more than 10,000 hours of his time to Three Rivers — more than any other volunteer we've had. Learn all about Gene's volunteer roles, why he enjoys it and how he ended up contributing so much time.
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