To Do
There are a lot of ways for you and your family to explore the land! Check out some of these fun activities you can check out while you are hiking the trails!
Marty’s Playspace
Located behind the PieperPower Education Center! Made possible from the generosity of one family whom cares deeply for the natural world and the opportunity for all to find a place to explore and play. Everyone is welcome to climb, jump, and run throughout this area! All materials are natural and locally sourced!
Adventure Backpacks
Check out a R.E.D. Adventure Pack! Each pack is equipped with a self-guided “field trip” through our forests, prairies, and wetlands. All packs have instructions on how to do each activity and use each tool. Packs can be checked out April-October on Monday-Friday starting at 9:00am and must be returned by 4:00pm the same day. These packs are FREE to use, but donations are greatly appreciated!
Snowshoes
Free snowshoe checkouts are Monday-Friday starting at 9:00am and must be returned by 4:00pm the same day. Check outs will only be available with 4 or more inches of snow. Sizes are for those 4 years old and up.
Email Amanda the date and time you wish to use the snowshoes!
Observation Tower
Take the quick hike to the MNP Observation Tower! The tower is 40 ft high and is located at the center of the Preserve. It gives hikers a great view of the entire Preserve, and you can even see downtown Milwaukee on a clear day! Located on the top of the tower are two free telescopes and a Chronolog photo point monitoring system.
Hammock Station
Relax in your hammock at our Hammock Station located at Marty’s Playspace. Watch the butterflies and birds fly above you as you read or take a nap in a hammock. This is a bring your own hammock station, there are no hammocks available at the Education Center for public use. Multiple hammocks can be set up at this station at one time.
Trail Activities
Below are some fun activities for you to do as you hike the trails! Please leave all nature behind and where you find it and take any garbage with you. Respect other hikers on the trails. Staff work hard on preserve the quality of the trails, so please stay on the path.
Little Free Pantry
Take what you need, leave what you can! There are two Little Free Pantries located at the Education Center and the MNP farm building on the northwest side of the Preserve. These Little Free Pantry was made by Girl Scout Troop 11054. Donate nonperishable food items, new, clean socks, feminine hygiene products, and toiletries so those in need in our community can take what they need!
Observation Platforms
Get closer to some of our ponds by standing on one of the Observation Platforms! These platforms are perfect for nature photographers and those interested in getting a closer look to our wetland restoration projects. One platform is located at Paul’s Pond, and the other on the Swan Road side of Harvey’s Woods.
Little Free Library
Take a book, leave a book! We invite all book lovers to donate a book to this Little Free Library, and then browse what other community members have left behind! This little library is located outside the Education Center.
Watch these videos to see what the land has to offer!