Wildlife service opens visitor center at Rapids Lake

By Mollee Francisco 

“Right now it’s just a shell,” said Suzanne Trapp. “But it’s a shell we’re slowly filling.”

Trapp is talking about the new Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Rapids Lake Education and Visitor just outside of Carver. The building construction was completed earlier this summer and is now open to the public. Trapp is the Visitor Services Specialist for the center, which is overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

While the building is technically open, those expecting exhibits on the Minnesota River and its wildlife will have to wait patiently for a little while longer. Exhibits are still “in the planning stages” and are slated to be installed early next year.

“Primarily we’re an environmental education center,” said Barry Jones, another visitor services specialist for the center. Thus far, the center has been organizing educational sessions with local schools for its two classrooms.

Already, the center has developed a partnership with the neighboring East Union Elementary School to get the kids more in touch with their natural surroundings. Jones and Trapp are hopeful that they will be able to expand their educational programs to work with more area schools.

The refuge has another educational center in Bloomington, but Trapp said that this rural center will better serve this area’s population.

“Bloomington’s still quite a drive from out here,” she said.

Interpretive programs

The secondary purpose of the building will be to provide interpretive programs for the general public. Jones said that there will likely be exhibitory on the river valley, the refuge itself, bird migration and the Gehl-Middlestedt house.

The building offers a great view of the century-old Chaska brick farm house perched on the edge of the Minnesota River. The house was at one time considered as a possibility for a visitor center, but due to its location in the 100-year flood plain, alternate uses are now being considered.

“A re-use study was started within the last few weeks,” said Jones. 

In addition to interpretive programs, the center will also serve as a trailhead to a three-and-a-half mile trail that will eventually hook up to the city of Carver. The trail will run along the Minnesota River, affording great views to those who use it.

The new educational and visitor center was funded through the Minnesota Valley Trust, a nonprofit corporation charged with expanding the refuge. The Rapids Lake center will employ six staff members, Trapp said.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife RefugeRapids Lake Education and Visitor Center

15865 Carver Highlands Drive

Building hours are M-F 9 a.m. – 4p.m.

Free and open to the public

www.fws.gov/midwest/MinnesotaValley/