Oakdale Discovery Center and Nature Preserve 

About

The Oakdale Discovery Center is located within picturesque Oakdale Nature Preserve. The Discovery Center houses the Oakdale Parks and Recreation, offers a nature exhibit room with a variety of taxidermy displays, event facilities and an intimate art gallery featuring a new, local artist each month. Snowshoe rentals available in season- weekends only. Try out our tandem bikes, GPS system for Geocaching, or adventure backpacks free of charge. Seek out animal tracks, identify different types of trees, use binoculars to bird watch or catch a glimpse of the deer, fox and other wildlife making their home in the preserve.

The Nature Preserve offers scenic paved and grass trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing and groomed cross-country ski trails within this 220 acre passive recreational area. Visitors will enjoy the mosaic of tree varieties amongst the prairie meadows, bogs and ponds that are home to a wide variety of birds and other wildlife. Tennis courts, playground, picnic shelter and an observation deck overlooking the lake are also available.

Additional Features: Outdoor amphitheater, Hosta Garden; Victory Garden; Historic School House; observation deck. bird feeding station, pet waste stations.
Backpacks with GPS units are available to be checked out from the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Department. Inside the packs you will find everything needed for a fun exploration of the Oakdale Nature Preserve.