Sunfish Lake Park – East Metro Water

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A place for everyone at Sunfish Lake Park

By: angiehongmn May 1, 2026May 1, 2026

Outdoor Adventures, Uncategorizedbirding, buckthorn, environmental education, featured, hiking, Lake Elmo, Sally Manzara Nature Center, Sunfish Lake Park, woodsLeave a Comment

On a sunny Friday in April, the dog and I hiked at Sunfish Lake Park in Lake Elmo and found rue anemone, wood anemone, and an abundance of violets sprinkled on the forest floor. Higher in the trees, two barred owls enjoyed an extended conversation. Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all? I counted 17 painted turtles sharing one long skinny log in the lake, and was excited to see red breasted mergansers and a pair of mallards as well.

Transformation underway at Sunfish Lake Park

By: angiehongmn April 29, 2021April 28, 2021

Buckthornbuckthorn, featured, habitat restoration, invasive plants, invasive species, Lake Elmo, Sunfish Lake Park, woodlandsLeave a Comment

Sunfish Lake Park visitors will immediately notice the changes on site, where contractors and volunteers have been clearing buckthorn since late winter.

Friends of Sunfish Lake Park lands $139,000 grant to manage buckthorn

By: angiehongmn June 18, 2020June 16, 2020

Buckthorn, Partners and Updatesbuckthorn, featured, Lake Elmo, Minnesota DNR, native plants, Outdoor Heritage Fund, Sunfish Lake Park, wildlife habitat, woodland wildflowers, woodlandsLeave a Comment

This summer, Friends of Sunfish Lake Park secured a $139,000 grant from the Minnesota Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program to remove buckthorn and restore native plants in 40 acres of the park. The City of Lake Elmo will contribute $10,000 to the project and volunteers will provide at least 300 hours of in-kind support as well.