Swans Out Building Nests, will return end of November

The Chamber of Commerce has adopted the city's Mississippi Drive Park and will continue updating the park for ease of viewing and photography opportunities. Signage, fencing and some tree and scrub brush trimming will make your viewing more enjoyable. A special thank you to our Monticello Parks Dept. for their viligiance and assistance . Our highest swan count last season was 1600 Trumpeters in one viewing.

The park is seldom used in the summer months, but becomes quite a busy spot as Trumpeter Swan viewing peaks during the months of mid-November through the end of February. A resident on Mississippi Drive feeds the swans daily from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. with nearly 1200 pounds of cracked corn fed each day. The best viewing times occur when the swans are feeding.

The Chamber reminds photographers and viewers that the swans are very shy. They recognize the park as a place where strangers are present, but see it as a safety zone. However, they are easily spooked when someone leaves the confines of the park itself to venture on neighborhood properties or down to the riverbank itself for viewing or photography which is not allowed. The woman who feeds the swans is the only 'safe' person that the swans recognize. THANK YOU for observing the privacy of these beautiful birds. We consider it an honor to have them on our riverfront and we want to respect both the volunteer efforts of the Monticello resident as well as the trumpeter swans.

Directions to Monticello's
Mississippi Drive Chamber Park:

From Minneapolis, take the first Monticello exit #194(one-94) off I-94, take a right at the first stop light. Go straight across Co. Rd. #75 and onto Co. Rd. 39 E. Go approximately 1/4 mile to Mississippi Drive and turn left. Follow residential housing until you see a little sliver of a park located on the right hand side near the end of Mississippi Drive. REMINDER: Please do not trespass in anyone's yard. You may view the swans by walking down a small asphalt pathway and to the viewing deck overlooking the river bank. Mississippi Drive ends in a cul-de-sac, so please utilize this to turn around. You may also get back into your vehicle and head east further down the river and view from alongside County Road 39 East. Reminder: There are opportunities for photography at every glance. Please do not trespass into anyone's yard.

Click the image to the left to view a PDF version of the brochure.  Brochure should be printed on 8.5"x14" paper.