Theodore Wirth Park

Today we did A Park Every Weekend week two! This week's park was one we went to once last summer and really enjoyed - the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary. It is part of Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis, which is also where we found a really exciting bog walk.


"A unique habitat located in Theodore Wirth Park, the Quaking Bog is worth a visit. Nearly 200 mature tamaracks shade the understory sphagnum moss of the hidden five-acre acid bog. It's a great site for dragonfly/damselfly observation. Walk quietly and listen for frogs and songbirds. A floating dockway crosses the open moat to the kettle depression of the quaking bog."
(From this site.)


Alfie has tons of fun with the floating dockway. Walking on the dock all over the bog is funky... It sinks a bit and water comes up through it, and then if more than about 3 people are around it really really sinks. There are some pretty flowers in the bog, and obviously there are lots of flowers in the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. It's a peaceful spot. Last year we went in June, so this year we saw different flowers. I (Maria) really enjoy all the little violets that are out at this time of year. Part of the wildflower garden was just carpeted with them. Some are dark purple, some burgundy, and some white with purple veins like in the bottom photo. The top photo is a trillium.

The afternoon was finished off with a tasty visit to Jamba Juice.