Kaplan’s Woods Parkway

- 225 acreskaplans-lg

The Kaplan’s Woods Parkway is a 225 acre park which was dedicated September 12, 1987. The City of Owatonna acquired 154 acres of this area during 1963 when the Minnesota Legislature transferred to the City, Kaplan’s Woods State Park. Of the remaining 71 acres which makes up the park, 65 acres were donated by the Owatonna Foundation.

The Owatonna Foundation also contributed $300,000 toward the development of this park, a gift from the late Reuben A. Kaplan, founder of Owatonna Tool Company. The City was awarded $203,500 from the United States Department of Interior Land and Water Conservation Fund, $98,000 from the State of Minnesota legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources, and over $30,000 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources specifically for an aerifier and fishing piers.

In 1998, the Owatonna Foundation contributed $115,000 to widen the original trail and include security lighting.

The Kaplan’s Woods Parkway contains over 6 miles of hiking and cross country skiing trails, and nearly two miles of hard-surfaced, handicapped-accessible trail. The parkway includes Lake Kohlmier, a 35 acre lake. Maps of the parkway are available at the Park and Recreation office.

Amenities:

  • Trails for hiking, jogging, skiing, biking, rollerblading (HA)
  • Picnic shelter with grill, capacity 24
  • Picnic sites
  • Swimming beach
  • Restrooms, bathhouse, concession stand (HA)
  • Play apparatus
  • Sand volleyball
  • Fishing piers (HA)
  • Canoes and paddleboats for rent
  • Boat launch ramp and dock
  • Parking lots (HA)

Access Points: Mosher Avenue or Morehouse Park


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Park Rules