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About Quarry Hill

Support Quarry Hill

Support Quarry Hill by volunteering or joining our non-profit friends group.

Please visit the Get Involved section to learn more.

City Park Rules

• Bikes are to be used on paved bike paths only.
• All dogs should be leashed and cleaned up after.

Quarry Hill Nature Center Collecting Policy

Quarry Hill Park is home to hundreds of different animals and plants, which form many different natural communities throughout the Park. These living organisms are the foundation for passive and active environmental education studies done by students and members of the general public. Please help us maintain these communities for all to enjoy and study by observing the following policies:

• The following should not be removed, killed or disturbed unless permission is received for scientific study (contact the Nature Center office regarding permission):
• Reptiles and amphibians including snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads, tadpoles, and eggs of any of the above.
• Any mammals including, but not limited to, squirrels, rabbits, mink, deer, beaver, muskrat, mice, and bats.
• Insects, including, but not limited to, butterflies, moths, bee, wasps, beetles, dragonflies, and damsel flies, including eggs and immature stages (attacking specimens may be killed in self defense i.e. mosquitoes).
• Other invertebrates including centipedes, spiders, and millipedes (note exception below for non-native earthworms).
• Birds of any species including unprotected house sparrows, pigeons, and starlings.
• Plants, including flowers and seeds and pine cones (note exception below for fruits, berries, and mushrooms).
• The following may be collected for personal or scientific use:
• Plant leaf collecting should be limited to one leaf per plant.
• Mushrooms and other fungi in personal-use quantities.
• Berries, apples and other fruits in personal-use quantities.
• Fish taken by normal fishing methods following state fishing regulations with exception of pond bass which are catch and release in the Quarry Hill Pond. (earthworms, a non-native species, may be dug for personal use as fishing bait)
• Please carefully replace logs and rocks when looking for ground dwelling critters.
• Wild animals or pets should not be released in Quarry Hill Park without permission.

Wild Animal Statutes, Laws, Policies and Guidelines

1. Wildlife management is under the authority of City, State and Federal regulations.
2. As per State statute, it is legal for individuals to "take mink, squirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, lynx, bobcat, fox, opossum, muskrat, or beaver on land owned or occupied by the person where the animal is causing damage. A person that kills mink, lynx, raccoon, bobcat, fox, opossum, muskrat, or beaver under this subdivision must notify a Conservation Officer or employee of the division within 24 hours after the animal is killed". The number for reaching a Conservation Officer is 252-0163, or 932-4947 (for problems South of Highway 14).
3. Traps for live trapping nuisance wildlife may be checked out from Animal Control (287-2230). However, neither Quarry Hill, nor Oxbow, accept for rehabilitation, or release in their respective parks, any birds, or mammals listed in #2 above. Animals should also not be dropped off in State Parks or Wildlife Management Areas. Persons transferring animals (listed in #2 above) from their property to another location must find a property owner, with sufficient acreage, who will accept release of the animal onto his/her property.
4. Wildlife problems within the city of Rochester should be referred to Animal Control (287-2230), or for those out of city limits, to the Olmsted County Law Enforcement Center (285-8300).
5. It is not legal for a person to keep as a pet, or for rehabilitation purposes, any of the above mammals, or protected birds (all birds are protected except starlings, house sparrows, and pigeons). Injured or apparently abandoned wildlife should be left in their natural setting for best survival chances, or to become a part of a natural food chain. Dogs, cats and children should be kept away from stressed animals.
6. The closest rehabilitation facility to Rochester is the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center located in St. Paul. They may be reached at (612) 624-7730. Animals (non-raptors) would need to be transported to St. Paul by individuals wishing to pursue possible rehabilitation.
7. Injured raptors, such as hawks, owls, eagles, and falcons, may be transported to the Raptor Rehabilitation Center in St. Paul by contacting Animal Control (287-2230), Oxbow (775-2451), Quarry Hill (281-6114), or the DNR Wildlife (289-5070) or DNR Enforcement (252-0163).
8. Several private Pest Control services may be found in the phone book Yellow Pages.
9. Veterinarians may legally do wildlife rehabilitation work with a Wildlife Rehabilitation permit issued by the DNR, or when working with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
10. Veterinarians may perform euthanasia on injured birds or mammals listed in #2 above.
11. Because of disease concerns, transfer of amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders) and reptiles (snakes, turtles, lizards) to new locations is not recommended.
12. Due to rabies concerns, bats should usually not be handled or disturbed by non-professionals.