Westwood Hills Nature Center — Nature, Gatherings, and Meeting Spaces

Location and Contact

Location
8300 W Franklin Ave
St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Contact
952-924-2544

Natural Area

Westwood Hills encompasses a 160-acre natural area of marsh, woods and restored prairie. Visitors can explore more than 3 miles of trails and walkways, with can’t-miss opportunities for leaf peeping, birdwatching and wildlife spotting. The preserve offers something beautiful in every season and provides habitat for animals such as deer, turtles, fox, mink and owls.

Interpretive Center

The $12 million, eco-friendly Interpretive Center invites visitors to experience interactive exhibits, including a presentation about pollinators and the important role they play. Live animals on display include a flying squirrel, a red-tailed hawk and a barred owl.

Located in the middle of the city, the Nature Center provides a distinctive outdoor, multi-generational classroom. Professionally trained naturalists offer fun, informative and hands-on environmental education and outdoor recreation programs throughout the year. Programs are well suited to families and groups of all types.

Event Space

The newly constructed Interpretive Center includes a multi-purpose space for up to 130 people. The venue can host meetings, wedding receptions, galas, company events, birthday parties, family reunions and more. Air walls allow the multi-purpose room to be divided into three smaller spaces: Willow, Aspen and Oak.

Room amenities include a caterer’s holding kitchen and audio-visual equipment. Events serving alcohol may require an additional fee to retain a police officer. A refundable damage and kitchen cleaning deposit may also apply. The Maple conference room seats 16 and is intended for business meetings, book clubs and similar gatherings.

Individual room rentals require a 2-hr minimum, while the entire facility may be rented for up to 12 hours.

Amenities

• Breakout Rooms
• Tables & Chairs
• Caterer's Holding Kitchen
• AV Equipment
• On-site Parking

Additional Outdoor Spaces

Lower Park Building

Adjacent to the Interpretive Center, the Lower Park Building has an open layout suitable for groups of up to 25 people.

Hobbs Pavilion

A short walk beyond the Interpretive Center is the award-winning Hobbs Pavilion, which provides picnic-table seating for groups of up to 48. Maurice Hobbs donated this outdoor shelter in memory of his late wife Barbara. During the week, the open-air shelter supports youth programming; weekend rentals are available.

It received an Award of Excellence from the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association.

Water Garden and Waterfall Observation Deck

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

Meeting Facilities

Interpretive Center

Multi-Purpose Room

Capacity: 130 guests

Air walls divide the multi-purpose room into 3 smaller rooms. The room fee includes a 12-hour rental period.

Willow

Capacity: 23 guests
Rental minimum: 2-hour minimum

Oak

Capacity: 48 guests
Rental minimum: 2-hour minimum

Aspen

Capacity: 56 guests
Rental minimum: 2-hour minimum

Maple Conference Room

Capacity: 16 guests
Rental minimum: 2-hour minimum

Lower Park Building

Entire Building

Capacity: 25 guests

Near the parking lot, this fully accessible building has an open design with seating for up to 25 people. Windows on three sides overlook the nature center grounds and playground. Restrooms, drinking fountains and a sink are also available. The space works well for meetings, parties and other gatherings.

Rental requires a 2-hr minimum. A refundable $300 damage deposit is due 14 days before your event.

Please note that this building is not currently available for rent.

Hobbs Pavilion Upper Picnic Shelter

Entire Shelter

Capacity: 48 guests

Next to the water garden area, this shelter accommodates up to 48 people at picnic tables. The facility provides restrooms, drinking fountains, electrical outlets and a sink. Its open design offers protection from sun and rain, along with views of Westwood Lake.

Weekend availability runs from mid-May to mid-September, 11 am - 3 pm. The rental covers the entire time block. A refundable $100 damage deposit is due 14 days before your event.

Waterfall Observation Deck & Water Garden

Entire Water Garden Area

Capacity: 20-25 guests

This scenic setting can be used for a small wedding, photo shoot or outdoor meeting. Guests can view the water garden while water moves over the top of the 6-foot-high waterfall and tumbles down the hillside. From the accessible Observation Deck, visitors can see the waterfall, water garden, Westwood Lake and the surrounding woods.

Native Minnesota plants bloom across the water garden during the summer season. Streams, waterfalls and a pond complement the accessible crushed rock paths and bridges, while fish can be viewed in the pond. Bench areas provide places to take photos or rest and enjoy the scenery.

The space is available mid-May to mid-October and may be rented by the hour. A refundable $100 damage deposit is due 14 days before your event.

Facility Reservations

Room reservations at the Interpretive Center require the Westwood Hills Nature Center facility rental application.

Reservations for the park building, pavilion or water garden require the outdoor facility rental application.