Lashbrook Park
1199 Highland Ave.
Northfield, MN 55057

FriendsOfLashbrookPark@gmail.com

 

What can you do at Lashbrook Park?

Take a leisurely walk or a more strenuous jog on the MOWED PATHS that crisscross throughout the park. Strategically placed BENCHES allow you to sit, rest, and enjoy the views. ​In winter you can use the paths and trails to snow-shoe or cross-country ski.

Visit the BLUEBIRD HOUSES dotting the park. The birdhouse pictured sits just south of the WOODS, a remnant of the “Big Woods” that once covered much of south central Minnesota, among PRAIRIE GRASS and NATIVE TREES with PRAIRIE FLOWERS blooming nearby.

​Admire the PRAIRIE FLOWERS that are home to bees and butterflies. In the woods, discover unique plants such as the rare dwarf early trillium, and well as those growing in the wetland. 

Please also take a look at the variety of vegetation you can find at Lashbrook Park. 

Help us keep this beautiful park in its natural prairie and woodland state 
by joining The Friends of Lashbrook Park (see below for details)

History of Lashbrook Park

This land for a passive park was purchased in 1991 by donations from the City of Northfield, St. Olaf College, and Northfield residents with the assistance of funds from the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development in cooperation with the National Park Service and the United States Department of the Interior.

J. Wesley and Kathiann Brown were the local leaders who generated the support that made this park possible.

THE LASHBROOKS

In 1903 Ulysses and Della Lashbrook purchased the farm to the west across the road from this park as well as 20 purebred Holsteins, 11 of which were under contract to provide milk to St. Olaf College. In 1916 Ulysses bought the land which became this park and raised hay there.

In 1915 their eldest son Alfred, who attended Carleton College and received a Bachelor of Science degree in animal husbandry from the University of Minnesota, married Edna Stake, who graduated from the University’s teacher education program with a major in home economics, and in 1916 they took over the farm. With four children and St. Olaf students working for room and board, they raised corn, oats, and alfalfa on this land and developed a herd of purebred registered Holsteins that became nationally known. By 1950 Lashbrook cows had stocked herds in 23 states and three foreign countries. Lashbrook Pearl Ormsby made history through her son Woodmaster and his record setting offspring. By 2012 fifty per cent of the 362,000 cattle registered in the Holstein breed carried Woodmaster’s genetics.

Alfred served on the National Holstein Friesian Association Board of Directors from 1938-1946 as well as on the Minnesota Dairy Herd Improvement Association Board and boards for the Northfield schools, Farmers Cooperative Elevator, Farm Bureau, and Congregational Church. Edna was a leader in the Congregational Church, in the Farm Bureau, in 4-H Club nature and conversation projects, and received national recognition for her work with the Girl Scouts. In 1963 the Minnesota Holstein Breeders Association awarded Al and Edna an engraved silver tray for their service, and in 2013 Al was inducted posthumously into the Rice County Agricultural Hall of Fame.

This park honors the Lashbrooks, their care of the earth and their commitment to the community. Northfield remembers the Holsteins by calling itself the city of Cows, Colleges, and Contentment.

The Friends of Lashbrook Park

Mission Statement

 The Friends of Lashbrook Park
shall preserve, maintain and enhance
Lashbrook Park
as a natural, passive park
for all people in all seasons
to enjoy nature and
refresh their souls.

Join The Friends of Lashbrook Park

Your $10.00 tax-deductible donation (your Annual Membership Dues) goes toward immediate park needs as well as long-term projects.

  • New Woodland Trails – This area of the park, once part of the BIG WOODS, has not yet been well developed.
  • Honey Bee and Butterfly Habitat Cultivation — We will focus on adding prairie flowers to support bees and butterflies in 2021 and 2022. Bee and butterfly habitat is rapidly disappearing across the U.S., leading to serious declines in their population. Honey bees pollinate most of our fruit and vegetable crops. We need our bees to survive.
  • Flora and Fauna Preservation – We look to help restore the woods with native plants, flowers, and trees as appropriate, and preserve its wildlife’s natural habitats.

Please click the “Donate” link on this webpage to become a member or to renew your membership.

I would like to be a member of The Friends of Lashbrook Park.

My $10.00 tax-deductible membership contribution gives me the right to receive emails and to attend meetings. Additional contributions to support our mission are also welcome!

Please join or donate online at:

parksandtrails.org/donate

(and specify “Friends of Lashbrook Park” on the contribution note)

You may also print and send  this form with your check payable to “Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota” with “Friends of Lashbrook Park” written on the memo line to:

The Friends of Lashbrook Park
c/o Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
275 4th St E, Suite 250
St. Paul MN 55101-1626

Please include:

Name:

Address:

Email Address: