March 33, 2006: Minnesota Valley Wildlife Refuge-Bloomington Ferry (Bloomington)

Join the hiking group for a hike around the Bloomington Ferry area of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Bloomington Ferry was one of the first Minnesota River crossings. The Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is made up of eight land units along the Minnesota River and is one of only four urban wildlife refuges in the nation. The Bloomington Ferry Unit has 400 acres of flood plain forests and wetlands between the river and the nearby bluffs, populated with pileated woodpeckers, squirrels, and wood ducks. A half-mile spur trail to the west goes through bottomland hardwood forest and across the bridge is the Wilkie Unit and additional trails. The Minnesota Valley State Trail Corridor will soon connect lands to the north and the south of this area. Management of the Refuge involves restoring wetlands, grasslands, and oak savannas, enhancing aquatic plant diversity through water level management, grassland management, exotic species control, and water quality monitoring.

If coming by car: The Bloomington Ferry Unit is located at the Old Bloomington Ferry Bridge. From I-494, take the Normandale Boulevard exit and proceed south on Normandale Boulevard to Old Shakopee Road. Turn west on Old Shakopee Road. From Old Shakopee Road in Bloomington, turn south onto Bloomington Ferry Road at Dred Scott Playfields. Continue on the Bloomington Ferry Road for ½ mile. Turn right on Bloomington Ferry Circle. Drive down the hill to the parking area.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information

The group will reconvene at a nearby restaurant after the hike for dinner or dessert.

For information, call the 24-hour recorded message ((952) 925-2819).

Map to the hike start point, near Bloomington Ferry Road At West Old Shakopee Road

Map of the Bloomington Ferry Unit

French Regional Park map

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This webpage was last updated on March 20, 2005.