Swans

Swan Cam

New at Swan Park this year is a “Swan Cam.” The swan cam gives people all over the world the opportunity to go online and view the swans straight from their computers.

Thank you to the following businesses for helping make the swan camera possible; Xcel Energy, FiberNet Monticello, Wright Hennepin Electric, Wes Olson Electric, Kaltec Technology, Monticello Parks Department, and Doug’s Computer Service.

Click here to view the Swans!

2012 Viewing Season

March  9, 2012
Today there were 125 Trumpeter Swans in Swan Park.  Jim fed 400 lbs of corn. As long as the birds are there Jim will continue to feed. Their time left here is short. Each day, anywhere from 25-50 swans leave. With the anticipated weather for next week the swans will most likely head back to their ponds and lakes for the spring and summer months. 

Feeding time is every day at 10:30am. If you stop into the park during feeding time Jim Lawrence is there to help educate you on these beautiful birds.

Swan Park
The Park is seldom used in the summer months, but becomes the home to over 2,000 Trumpeter Swans in the winter months from Mid December- March. Swans can continue to be viewed as the winter weather continues. As the warm weather approaches, the swans return to Minnesota lakes as they begin to thaw. (Therefore, swan viewing season can fluctuate year to year based on the weather.)

Sheila Lawrence "The Swan Lady"
This past April 2011, Shiela Lawrence known as “The Swan Lady,” passed away. Sheila and her husband Jim have been feeding swans began feeding over 25 years ago. Because of their selfless acts of kindness to these birds, the Monticello Community has benefited more than anyone realizes. Jim Lawrence will continue to feed the Trumpeter Swans this winter. We need your help in continuing to fund this wonderful Monticello attraction.

Donate to Help Feed the Swans
The funding for purchase and delivery of corn to feed the waterfowl viewed at Swan Park for the past 25 years was paid in its entirety by Sheila Lawrence with the generous help of a few of her close friends and countless Swan Park visitors.  Contrary to what you may believe no financial support is provided by any municipal or state agencies.  Since Sheila’s passing a foundation had been created to continue her legacy and to promote and grow this Monticello winter treasure.  If you would like to help continue the growth of this flock of Trumpeter Swans you may do so my making a donation to the Swan City Heritage Foundation. (A 501(C)(3) Non-profit status is pending.) Send your payments to;

Swan City Heritage Foundation C/O Monticello Chamber
PO Box 192
Monticello, MN 55362.

A special thank you Jim and Sheila Lawrence for bringing this attraction to Monticello and for all the time and money you’ve spent feeding the swans. Thank you also to the Monticello's Parks Department for your diligence and assistance in keeping up the park throughout the year.

Growing the Flock- Wings at a Time!

Monticello Buffalo Wild Wings- “Growing the Flock, Wings at a Time” Kick Off Event!
Buffalo Wild Wings is a proud supporter of our community. Our goal is to help make this community the best place to live, work, play and dine. We are introducing the "Growing the Flock, Wings at a time" fundraising effort. The kickoff event will be December 12, 2011 where 10% off all food purchases for the entire day will be donated back to the Monticello Swan City Heritage Foundation. To participate please present your Eat Wings Raise Funds ticket to the service staff. After the event, anytime the "Swans" are mentioned at the Monticello Buffalo Wild Wings location, they will continue to apply the 10% donation on future visits through March 2012. It's simple, dine with us, have fun and help raise money.

Directions to Monticello's Swan Park on Mississippi Drive

From St. Cloud: Take the 2nd Monticello Exit (#194) off of I-94 East, which brings you to County Road 18. Take a right onto County Road 18.

From Minneapolis: Take the first Monticello Exit (#194) off I-94, which brings you to Country Road 18. Take a right onto County Road 18.

Continue straight ahead, through the stop light (the road turns in County Rd 39E) you will take the second left onto the street Mississippi Drive. Follow the residential housing until you see a little sliver of a park located on the right hand side near the end of Mississippi Drive. This is where you may view the swans in a park-like setting. If you have any questions call the Chamber Office 763-295-2700.

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 Here to view a Video of the Swan Lady From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Other Information