Name: Spring Open House
Start: 2026-04-03T16:00:00-05:00
End: 2026-04-03T19:30:00-05:00
Location: 3815 American Blvd E, Bloomington, MN, United States, Minnesota 55425

At the refuge, spring cleaning this year brings the Bloomington Education and Visitor Center newly revamped public space! Check out our brand new indoor Nature Exploration Area, a space for kids to engage in creative play while learning basic skills of outdoor recreation.
Throughout the evening, the refuge will also be hosting two screenings of Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, beginning at 4:00 and 5:45. Take a break from exploring outdoor recreation to enjoy the movie, munch on some snacks, and learn about the natural world around us!
The refuge will provide pizza, popcorn, and beverages while supplies last courtesy of the Minnesota Valley Refuge Friends.
Stop by our open house to learn more about our space and engage in the movie, as well as other activities scattered across the visitor center. Registration is not required, but we appreciate optional registrations to prepare supplies and materials.
Registration optional here: https://signup.com/go/XeGrMzF
Optional registration allows us to prepare supplies and materials for the program, send reminders, and allows us to contact you in the event of inclement weather!
This program is entirely indoors, with some easy movement opportunities to move throughout the visitor center during, before, and after the event. Comfortable clothing is recommended.
Accessibility at Bloomington Visitor Center:
Restrooms and water fountains are located inside the visitor center. Handicap parking and dropoff available. Visitor center is flat aggregate or carpeted flooring with ramps to access all areas. There are benches and rest areas around the visitor center.
Hillside and Spur trails are natural surface with has steep slopes, with a wooden staircase for a portion of it. Long Meadow Lake trail is accessed via these sloped trails, but itself is mostly flat and is natural surface. Depending on seasonal trail conditions, natural surface paths may be muddy (summer) or snowy (winter) and may not always be suitable for strollers or wheelchairs. There are no benches in the trail area. Trailheads are a 0.1-0.2 mile distance from the parking lot.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is committed to providing access to these events for all participants. Please direct all requests for sign language interpreting services, close captioning, or other accommodation needs at least ten business days before the event to Oscar Hernandez at [email protected].
Questions? Contact [email protected] or call (952) 854-5900.
BLVC by Rita Fredrick.
The BLVC is in the background with a lush prairie in front and blue skies above.