Westwood Hills Nature Center

Westwood Hills is a 160-acre natural area featuring marsh, woods and restored prairie. More than 3 miles of trails and walkways provide hikers with can’t-miss opportunities for leaf peeping, birdwatching and wildlife spotting. The preserve is beautiful throughout the seasons and provides homes for many animals, including deer, turtles, fox, mink and owls.

Interpretive Center

Visitors to Westwood will want to explore the new $12 million, eco-friendly Interpretive Center.  It’s full of interactive exhibits, such as a display on pollinators and the important role they play, as well as live animals, including a flying squirrel, a red-tailed hawk and a barred owl. The Nature Center offers a unique, outdoor, multi-generational classroom in the middle of the city. Professionally trained naturalists lead a variety of fun, informative and hands-on environmental education and outdoor recreation programs year-round. Perfect for families and groups of all types.

Event Space

The newly constructed Interpretive Center houses a multi-purpose space, accommodating up to 130 people for meetings, wedding receptions, galas, company events, birthday parties, family reunions and more! The multi-purpose room also separates into three smaller spaces (Willow, Aspen and Oak) for meetings and events. Room amenities include a caterer’s holding kitchen and audio-visual equipment. If you wish to have alcohol at your event, an additional fee may be charged to retain a police officer. A refundable damage and kitchen cleaning deposit may apply. The smaller Maple conference room, which holds 16, is perfect for business meetings, book clubs and similar events. There is a 2-hr minimum on individual room rental or rent the entire facility for up to 12 hours.

Next to the Interpretive Center is the Lower Park Building, which features an open design that’s perfect for up to 25 people.

A short walk past the Interpretive Center will bring you to the award-winning Hobbs Pavilion with picnic table seating for groups of up to 48. This outdoor shelter was donated by Maurice Hobbs in memory of his late wife Barbara. This open-air shelter is used for youth programming during the week and is available for weekend rentals. It received an Award of Excellence from the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association.

Looking for a scenic spot for a small wedding or outdoor photo shoot? The Water Garden and Waterfall Observation Deck offers stunning views and can accommodate up to 25 people.

To reserve a room at the Interpretive Center, complete the Westwood Hills Nature Center facility rental application.

To reserve the park building, pavilion or water garden, please complete the outdoor facility rental application.