The Westwood Hills Nature Center celebrated their 42nd annual Halloween party Oct. 20 and Oct. 21. This Halloween party is known for its numerous activities for toddlers and kids. This year the Nature Center lived up to community expectations, as they had activities suitable for the children to have a great Halloween experience.
Nature center manager Mark Oestreich said he has worked hard with his staff and is happy to see their hard work pay off.
“The staff enjoy putting this together and really put a lot of time and energy into it,” Oestreich said. “Our reward for it is seeing the kids enjoy the party and have a great evening here.”
Naturalist and volunteer coordinator Becky McConnell believes that being at the party at night is a rare and fun experience for people.
“The carnival games and Mother Nature’s trails, pretty much a trick or treat trail…I think it’s the fun of being here at night, which a lot of people don’t get to be,” McConnell said
Party volunteer, senior Aaron Casey-Fix said this party is an opportunity to see new faces.
“It’s a convenient time for people to go and connect and see people you won’t normally see,” Casey-Fix said
Oestreich said he is thrilled about all the people that keep coming to the Halloween parties, and about how full it is this year.
“People keep coming back and look forward to it,” Oestreich said. “This year we had 600 spots and it filled about four days ago.”
McConnell said she cherishes the party and how it has affected the St. Louis Park community.
“I’m trying to put into words what it is about this party that makes it so special,” McConnell said. “It really is a community gathering place. People will come year after year, bringing their kids. It becomes a tradition for them.”
