Lowry Nature Center

Lowry Nature Center, the first public nature center built in the Twin Cities, is a beautiful, prairie-style building nestled in the middle of the Carver Park Reserve. Inside, view seasonal interpretive displays, visit our live animals, observe birds in our wildlife view area, or just relax near the fireplace or on the deck.

Outside, the 250-acre interpretive area features hiking trails that weave between diverse habitats such as lakes, tamarack bogs, cattail marshes, and hardwood forests. Along the trails, visitors might also spot some of the varied wildlife that live in the park, including beaver, deer, fox, coyote, muskrats, bats, and turkeys. Some 250 species of birds can be observed in Carver Park seasonally. Opportunities to enhance your experience at the park are available through cell phone audio stops, trail guides, exploration kits and interpretive signs. 
 
The interpretive area also includes two unique play and exploration areas. "Habitats" is a play area where children can interact with giant flowers and a "beaver lodge" while learning about animals that would live in those habitats. The Nature Exploration Area was created specifically to encourage free play in the outdoors. Children can explore, dig and build while adults play along or observe nearby.