MAC Wildlife Area

Operated by the City of Crystal

A boardwalk and a turf trail circle wetland areas and offers glimpses of birds and other wildlife on this 40-acre nature area. A walk along the park's boardwalk offers excellent opportunities to view birds including herons, red-tailed hawks, owls and small mammals.

In Partnership

MAC Wildlife Area is owned by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) and sits adjacent to the Crystal Airport. It is operated by the City of Crystal through a lease agreement with the MAC. Three Rivers has an ongoing partnership with Crystal and the MAC to make improvements to the trail boardwalks. Three Rivers also has hosted special programming in the park. Learn more about the park on Crystal's park webpage.

Three Rivers' Contributions

In 2017, Three Rivers Park District, the City of Crystal and the MAC entered a cooperative agreement to make improvements to the park. In 2018, Three Rivers led Phase I of the boardwalk reconstruction project, which rebuilt approximately 460 feet of the boardwalk that had deteriorated over time. An additional 485 feet of boardwalk was rebuilt in 2022, with plans to rebuild the remaining boardwalks in 2025. View a map of the completed, current and future boardwalk improvements.

As part of the boardwalk projects, learning stations are being built along the boardwalk, which allow space for nature education and programming opportunities to take place at the park.

Things To Do

Hiking

Hiking

A turf trail passes by a sign that says "hiking trail."

One of the best ways to explore year-round is to head out for a hike on the extensive trail system in Three Rivers. Trails wind through the woodland, grassland and wetland habitats of many species of wildlife. You’ll be amazed at what you might see along the way.

Please note: In winter, hiking on cross-country ski trails is not permitted.

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