Mayer Community Guide MayerNGGuide19-Final | Page 16
Eagle Lake Observatory
No visit to Baylor Regional Park is complete
without at least a glance at Eagle Lake
Observatory,
a
state-of-the-art
facility
operated by the Minnesota Astronomical
Society (MAS).
The site had been gaining popularity in
recent years, and hit a new attendance record
of 4,266 visitors in 2015.
In 2016, an estimated 3,680 visitors attended
public, special, and other events at the
observatory.
Public viewings take place on certain nights,
typically from about 7 to 10 p.m., in both clear
or cloudy weather. When conditions do not
allow for direct viewing, videos, presentations,
or tours may be substituted.
The Sylvia A. Casby Observatory and HotSpot
classroom were added to the location of the
existing Onan Observatory in 2013. The Sylvia
A. Casby Observatory is equipped with three
telescopes, including the largest refracting
telescope at Eagle Lake Observatory. The
HotSpot classroom is a space for guests to
enjoy a live video feed from the observatory
telescopes.
Plans have been made to add a Lunt 152 solar
telescope to the Sylvia A. Casby Observatory
in 2017. The Onan Observatory has more than a
dozen telescopes on four observing platforms
for guests to view the stars, planets, and other
celestial objects.
To contact someone from the Eagle Lake
Observatory, email [email protected], or
leave a message in the Minnesota Astronomical
Society’s voice mailbox at 952-467-2426.
More information is also available at www.
mnastro.org. Carver County also maintains
other nearby parks that offer a variety of
activities.
Lake Waconia Regional Park
Lake Waconia Regional Park, currently a
100-acre park, is in its early development stage,
expanding to a future 164-acre park, which
will include Coney Island of the West. Situated
on the southern shore of Lake Waconia, Lake
Waconia Regional Park boasts a reservable
group picnic shelter, play equipment,
restrooms, small swimming beach, picnic
HOLLYWOOD
3390 Cty. Rd. 123
Watertown
eating &
ir
A
Jason Bauer, Owner
(952) 955-3844
(952) 955-3864 Fax
[email protected]
16
tables, volleyball court, and grills. Outside the
park, boat access is available at the Minnesota
DNR boat access located on the northeast
side of the lake. Additional boat access can
be found at private marinas located in the city
of Waconia.
For winter fun, Lake Waconia Regional Park
has an 80-foot sledding hill with two runs: a
smooth, straight one and a more rough one.
A more recent addition to the park, Lake
Waconia Event Center is being operated by
Lancer Catering for events. The event center
is ideal for hosting wedding receptions,
meetings, graduations, family reunions, and
other events.
Lake Waconia Regional Park is located just
east of the city of Waconia. Access to the park
is off of Highway 5, and parking permits are
required. For additional information, contact
the park offi ce at 952-466-5250.
Lake Minnewashta Regional Park
Lake Minnewashta Regional Park is situated
on the shores of Lake Minnewashta. Facilities
include a swimming beach, bathhouse,
reservable picnic shelters, sand volleyball
courts, creative playground, paved boat
access, paved bike trails, ski and snowshoe
rental, vending machines, canoe storage, and
a Little Free Library located near the beach for
guests who would like to enjoy a novel during
their time at the park.
For those who wish to exercise or stretch their
legs while enjoying the outdoors, fi ve miles of
turf and natural surface trails, which run along
Lake Minnewashta and through forest and
prairie terrain, are available. Separate trails
are groomed for skiing and walking during the
winter. Additionally, a fi shing pier is located
west of the beach area. Besides facilitating
anglers, the pier also provides a scenic view of
Lake Minnewashta.
The park also offers an off-leash dog area
for pet lovers who want to enjoy the park. The
fenced-in, 18-acre area includes nearly a
mile of walking trails, a separate area for dogs
that weigh less than 25 pounds, a fenced-in
pond, two large open interactive play spaces,
and a water fountain for humans and pets.
Admittance to the dog park is free, but all
vehicles will require a parking permit.
Lake Minnewashta Park is located off of
Highway 41 west of Chanhassen between
Highway 5 and Highway 7. For additional
information, contact the park offi ce at 952-
466-5250.
Properly displayed daily or annual parking
permits are required for all vehicles entering
Carver County parks. Permits can be purchased
at the park entrance through the gate house
or the honor box. (The gate house purchasing
option is only available during summer months.)
Annual permits can also be purchased online
or by phone at 952-466-5250 using a Discover,
Master, or Visa card.
Guide to Mayer & New Germany 2019-2020