The Cenacle Woods property is a remnant of a distinct, regional ecosystem of Minnesota known as ‘The Big Woods’ (first named les bois franc by early French explorers), which originally covered more than 3000 square miles. By the 1930’s most of the Big Woods had been converted to cropland, and now it exists only in scattered pieces such as this one. This property was owned for many years by the Sisters of the Cenacle, an order of Catholic nuns, who ran it as a retreat center.

After much hard work by a dedicated group of citizens, the City of Wayzata, and The Trust for Public Land, a bond referendum to purchase the property was passed by Wayzata voters in November 2003. The ensuing purchase agreements required that the property be permanently protected by a conservation easement.

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