Woodgate Park
Woodgate Park is an 9.33-acre park preserve, located in the “hilly part” of Minnetonka, near 5000 S Highland Road. The park is part of the same glacial moraine that created Lone Lake, Lake Rose and Victoria Evergreen parks. Glaciers passing thru 10,000 years ago created vernal pools, “temporary” wetlands for emerging amphibians and insects. They also left behind glacial till that led to the park’s being used as a gravel pit in the mid-20th century.
The paved path through Woodgate Park offers excellent examples of spring ephemerals such as bloodroot, wood and rue anemones, Dutchman’s breeches, and Jack in the pulpit. Later on in the season you’ll find golden Alexander, black-eyed Susan, sedges, asters and zigzag goldenrod. There are many species of birds including pileated woodpeckers who love the towering oaks, blue jays, white throated sparrows, great crested flycatchers, and owls, both barred and great horned.
Enjoy a solitary walk through Woodgate and listen for the sounds of spring!
The paved path through Woodgate Park offers excellent examples of spring ephemerals such as bloodroot, wood and rue anemones, Dutchman’s breeches, and Jack in the pulpit. Later on in the season you’ll find golden Alexander, black-eyed Susan, sedges, asters and zigzag goldenrod. There are many species of birds including pileated woodpeckers who love the towering oaks, blue jays, white throated sparrows, great crested flycatchers, and owls, both barred and great horned.
Enjoy a solitary walk through Woodgate and listen for the sounds of spring!
Fall Volunteer Events
September 14th from 9:30 am to 11:30 am
November 2nd from 9 am - 12 pm
November 2nd from 9 am - 12 pm
Restoration Project
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After
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In 2023, Friends of Minnetonka Parks, Natural Resources staff and neighborhood volunteers worked to removed 9 acres of buckthorn from Woodgate Park, as well as a small common area at Woodgate Pond. Our focus was to open up the view of two small ponds, common in this hilly part of Minnetonka. Minnetonka’s Natural Resources staff shared “best practices” with Woodgate neighbors, inspiring them to conduct buckthorn removal on their properties adjacent to Woodgate Park.
Participants logged 50 service hours at the two buckthorn events and individual efforts contributed 40 more. It’s been inspiring to see areas that were once a “wall of buckthorn” open up to encourage the growth of native plant and enhance wildlife observation. 
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