Portions Of Four Stillwater Parks Temporarily Close Due To Sand Wasp Infestation

Certain areas of five Stillwater parks have been temporarily closed due to an infestation of sand wasps.

In the areas where the sand wasps are nesting—at Sunrise, Teddy Bear, Anez Ridge, Benson and Staples parks—city staff has posted signs notifying park users of the wasps.

The occurrence of sand wasps in parks isn’t unusual, Stillwater Parks Employee Beth Wolf said. Every five or six years, areas where the wasps nest is temporarily closed as a warning to park users.

“We’ve seen more reports this year,” Wolf said, “but that’s because more people are using the parks this summer.”

When reports are made, Park staff monitor the area and block off the infested areas with posted signs letting the public know of the issue.

The wasps bury themselves in the sand and nest, Wolf said. Eventually, the wasps leave after about two weeks.

This year is the peak of a seven-year cycle for the wasps, according to this report by the Prior Lake American newspaper. Seven parks in Prior Lake were infested, and closed down until the wasps move on.