Tap into Maple Syruping With Upcoming Workshops

Local residents are being invited to taste the sweet sap of the maple tree and learn how syrup is made. Three Rivers Park District is offering a variety of maple syruping programs throughout the metro this spring, including a pair in the Lake Minnetonka area during the next week.

Maple Syrup Festival at Baker

This Sunday, March 18, from 2:30-5 p.m., at Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement in Baker Park Reserve, Medina. Bring the entire family for an afternoon of maple syruping. Guests will “tap a tree,” collect some sap, taste real maple syrup, boil down the sap, eat some silver dollar pancakes, discover Native American syruping techniques and much more. Cost is $5, and children under two are admitted free.

This program is open to all ages.

Maple Syrup Basics at Gale Woods

Next Saturday, March 24, from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista. Learn to tap maple trees, evaporate sap and make your own syrup. Residents with even just a few maple trees at home can enjoy this hobby.

Guests will learn all the steps in the process and be able to buy a few simple supplies to get started. Chef Mary Jane Miller will share some tasty recipes and tips for cooking with maple syrup for use on more than pancakes. The morning will be spent at the “sugar bush” learning the craft, and the afternoon will be spent enjoying the sweet rewards in the kitchen.

Cost is $12 and reservations are required. Call 763-559-6700 to make a reservation and reference activity number #237402-00.

This program is for ages 12+.