|
Friends of William O’Brien State Park |
|
The Friends of William O’Brien State Park is a volunteer organization. Its mission is sustaining the natural beauty , primitive nature and visitor related services of the Park. The FOWOBSP serve as a support group to the park staff by educating the public, promoting awareness of the park’s resources, and providing volunteers and support when needed. The Friends Group meet at least two times per year in regular scheduled meetings and at other times as planning needs and current projects warrant. |
|
William O’Brien State Park is located on the St. Croix River, on Minnesota State Highway 95, 11 miles north of Stillwater (1 mile north of Marine on the St. Croix) and 3 miles south east of Scandia and highway 97. Our address is: Friends of William O’Brien State Park, PO Box 93, Scandia, MN 55073 e-mail us at: fowobsp@att.net |
|
The Headquarters building and entrance station at William O’Brien State Park. Information on the park and the Friends Group is available at the Park Headquarters. The park phone number is: 651-433-0500.
|
|
Upcoming Events and Spring & Summer Programs
- - - Mark Your Calendar - - -
Help Wanted: In the 1800’s! June 27, August 8 & September 5, 7:00 pm Visitor Center Martin Mower, owner of the Arcola Lumber Mill and Manager of the St. Croix Boom Company, will take applications for positions at the Arcola Mill and Boat Yards, Martin*s Dry Goods in Arcola, sales assistance at the Mower Block in Stillwater, construction workers at the Territorial Prison construction site, and River Rats at the St. Croix Boom site. Wages start at $1.00 per day. Mr. Mower will explain the operations of his numerous enterprises in the valley. All persons welcome - any age or gender considered. Apply in person, at the Visitor Center fire ring, to Martin Mower. Dwight Wilcox, local storyteller from Forest Lake, will present a characterization of Mr. Martin Mower, one of the first lumber barons of the St. Croix Valley. Mr. Mower was responsible for the Arcola Mill and Boat Yard, the passage of legislation that allowed the start-up of the St. Croix Boom Company, introduction of steam as a power source for lumber operations, and many more visionary changes that transformed the St. Croix River Valley. The one-hour presentation will tell of some historical facts, local legends, and a few tall tales.
Antique Train Ride July 5 & September 6, 10:45 am Join us on the rails as we take an antique train ride. After a mile walk out to the train tracks, a naturalist and a train conductor will rove the train cars and take you on a tour of the history and landscapes of the St. Croix Valley. Learn some of the natural and cultural features of the St. Croix Valley and early history of the train era in the valley. At Osceola, Wisconsin, you can hop off the train to do lunch or antiquing or continue on the train to Dresser, Wisconsin. The train turns around at Dresser, makes another brief stop at Osceola, and will then bring you back to the park. So bring snacks or a lunch if you plan to stay on the train. The day starts at the interpretive center at 10:45am, when we will head out to the tracks. The train will drop you back at the park around 3:30pm. The cost is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for kids under 16, and children under 4 ride free. So join us for this fun, unique experience on the rails.
Ice Cream Social! July 11, 6:30 pm The Friend’s Group of William O’Brien would like to invite you to an evening of live music and ice cream! Bring a blanket or lawn chair, picnic dinner, and your dancing shoes to the outdoor patio at the Visitor Center! Listen to the classic rock and roll music of the “Turn Around” band and dessert is on us. Join us for this special gathering at the park.
Geocaching 101 July 18, August 8, & October 10, 10:00 am Discover the fascinating challenge of geocaching and how you can use it to explore Minnesota State Parks' hidden treasures. You will learn how to use a GPS unit, and then head out in the park to find some specially placed caches. A limited number of GPS units will be available for this modern-day treasure hunt. So please call the park office to sign up.
Universe In The Park July 18, August 1 & 22, & September 12, 8:30 pm The University of Minnesota Astronomy Department will be taking you on a spectacular tour of the night skies. After a short talk on the evening skies, they will take you outside to view some of these celestial sights through telescopes. The moon, planets and more will be discovered on this special night in the park. If it is cloudy, we will still have the indoor presentation. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star July 25 & August 15, 9:00 pm Visitor Center Join amateur astronomer, Kenny Bahmer, as he takes you on a tour of the night sky. We will start indoors with a program on the evening skies and then head outside to view some of these evening delights through a telescope. If it is cloudy, there will still be the indoor program.
Voyageur Encampment September 26 & 27, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Let’s take a step back in history to the time of the voyageurs. Voyageurs were the “truck drivers” of the fur trade era. They would travel the rivers and lakes hauling beaver, mink, muskrat and other animal furs. These furs would be packaged in 90-pound packs that they hauled over long portages. Eventually these furs would end up as top hats and coats to the elite in Europe. These voyageurs were a hearty bunch with a unique lifestyle which only they could call their own. Come down to the picnic grounds and view the camp and ask them questions as the Neebing Brigade and the La Compagnie Brigade re-enact the 1700’s and make their home at the park for the weekend. Take a step back in history and learn the life of the Voyageur!
Geocaching In The Park! September 26 & 27, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The MN Geocaching Association will be putting on a special caching weekend in the park. Stop by the picnic shelter in the picnic grounds and learn about this new techno treasure hunt, learn how to use a GPS unit, and then head out to find some of the specially placed caches in the park. You will receive a special pathtag for finding so many caches in the park. So come on out and try this new fun sport! GPS units will be provided for your use.
Whitetail Hunting 101 October 3, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Learning about whitetail hunting typically requires many seasons of trials and errors. You can however, shave off years of that learning curve by absorbing the advice in what we’re calling the best, no-nonsense Whitetail Hunting 101 workshop to hit the streets. This workshop was developed by members of the St. Croix Valley Chapter of MDHA (Minnesota Deer Hunters Association) to provide today’s beginning deer hunter with a huge leg up on outwitting the wary whitetail. Much emphasis will be placed on explaining whitetail behavior, deer senses and how to defeat them. Scouting for deer, hunting techniques, shot selection and placement, safety and “what to do after the shot” will also be covered. Plus, much more! This introductory course is a great starting point if you have never hunted the whitetail and it is also a good refresher for the semi-experienced whitetail hunter. We’ll share some solid tips, techniques and tactics to improve your whitetail hunting success and hunt experience. Call the park to register for this free workshop. For more information call Mike Wock @ 651-439-1808 or E-mail: mike_wock@yahoo.com
Friends Fall Meeting October 13, 7:00pm Visitor Center Due to special circumstance with the soon-to-follow Halloween Party, the Fall Meeting has been rescheduled to the 13th. instead of it usual day. Please join us then for planning and participation in the fall and winter activities.
Happy Falloween! October 17, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Join us for this special fall festival at the park. If you are camping in the Riverway Campground, decorate your campsite! There will be different categories with prizes! Kids can trick or treat in the campground when the judging begins. Judging and trick or treating starts at 6:30pm for the sites. Sites that are willing to participate, in the trick or treating will have orange pumpkin cards on their site posts. Pre- carved or painted pumpkins and costumes will be judged at the large picnic shelter in the picnic grounds after the site judging. After that, a night hike! Experience what the park is like after the sun goes down. There will be different hikes for different ages. After your hike, a storyteller will share some “tall” and “short” tales around the campfire. A marshmallow roast will end this spooktacular evening in the park. The Friend’s Group of William O’Brien brings this Falloween Festival to you.
Volksmarch: NorthStar Trail Travelers Guided Walk! October 31, 9:30 a.m. Folkssports are leisure-time activities for people of all ages, alone or in groups, with no competitive requirements but plenty of awards. Register at the Visitor Center at 9:30 a.m. Groups of different speeds will start walking at 10 a.m. Meet friends and walk scenic trails at your own pace for fun, fitness and friendship. There is a $2 participation fee. Following the walk, there will be a potluck lunch and NSTT annual meeting. The event is sponsored by the NorthStar Trail Travelers, www.nstt.org.
Snowmobile Safety Class November 12 – 20, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. There will be a snowmobile safety class offered at William O’Brien State Park for kids over the age of 11 and adults. Registration night will be on Thursday, November 12th. Since the class is limited to 20 students, you must call the park to pre-register. Students are required to attend all classes. Classes will be held on November 16th, 17th, and 19th at the park Visitor Center. The riding portion of the class will be held on Friday, November 20th , with or without snow. The cost is $15.00 per student for materials. Classes will be held at the William O’Brien Visitor Center. Please call the park for more details and to pre-register. |
|
Coming Events |
|
The next scheduled friends meeting: October 13, 2009 7pm Visitor Center
|
|
OFFICERS President: Nancy Hokenson Vice President: Sheldon Fox Secretary: Mary Burke Treasurer: Nancy Hokenson
|