A unique habitat located in Theodore Wirth Park, the Quaking Bog is worth a visit. Nearly 200 mature tamaracks shade the understory sphagnum moss of the hidden five-acre acid bog.
It's a great site for dragonfly/damselfly observation. Walk quietly and listen for frogs and songbirds. A floating dockway crosses the open moat to the kettle depression of the quaking bog. Please stay on the boardwalk to avoid compacting this rare ecosystem.
Named winner of 2008 Best Nature in the City in City Pages' ''Best of the Twin Cities''.
Directions: Exit I-394 at Penn Ave. and follow the south frontage road (Wayzata Blvd.) west to the Wirth Parkway connection then drive north on the Parkway 1/3 mile to the parking lot on the west side of Wirth Parkway across from Birch Pond. Watch for the Quaking Bog sign.
Or exit Hwy. l00 at Glenwood Ave. Drive east on Glenwood to Wirth Parkway. Turn right on the Parkway then drive south about 2 blocks on the parkway to the bog parking lot (located on the west side of Wirth Parkway.)
Parking: Parking is available in the parking lot on the west side of Wirth Parkway across from Birch Pond, which is located just north of I-394. Follow the Bog signs along the switchback trails to the bog. Parking Information.
Traveling by bus? MTC Bus Routes 9C, 9D and 9E stop at Glenwood Avenue and Theodore Wirth Parkway. It is just a short two-block walk south from the bus stop to the bog trail.
Historical Profile: More information about this and other parks is included in Parks, Lakes, Trails and So Much More, a richly detailed account of the histories of Minneapolis’ renown recreational system. (See Theodore Wirth Park section.)
