Community Corner

National Get Outdoors Day: Unplug and Get Outside

Need something to do? Patch has some ideas.

Celebrate National Get Outdoors Day today by putting down the remote, logging off the computer and getting outside.

With clear skies and seasonal summer temperatures forecast for today, National Get Outdoors Day is a great chance to grab the kids, pack a snack and find an adventure.

All 72 state parks and recreation areas are all offering free admission, and many have planned special activities ranging from geocaching and kayaking to camping and other family-friendly activities.

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Click here to find a full list of events near (and not-so-near) you.

Need some other ideas? 

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The Three Rivers Park District, with facilities throughout the west metro, has plenty of events and suggestions. Most are free or affordably priced.

A full list of Three Rivers Park activities and facilities can be found here.

Trails:

The Three Rivers Park District has 280 miles of paved and unpaved trails for biking, hiking, running, in-line skating, dog walking and even horseback riding. Biking is a great way to get the whole family outside and active. Whether a casual rider, commuter, or a cyclist in training, more than 60 miles of paved bike/hike trails in the area parks away from roads and winding through woodlands and grasslands, and rimming the shorelines of lakes and ponds.

In addition to the many in-park trails, Three Rivers also operates more than 105 miles of regional trails. There are 10 regional trails stretching from the southwest metro to downtown Minneapolis and points north. Check out the Lake Independence Regional Trail or bike the Dakota Rail Regional Trail and cross over the newly finished bridges that extend the trail into Carver County. Maps are available on the web.

Swimming:

Three Rivers Park District operates six free lakeside family-friendly beaches and two guarded swim ponds at eight area parks.

Golf:

The Three Rivers Park District operates 63 holes of golf and five driving ranges at five locations across the west metro area. With scenic courses designed to challenge all levels of ability, you won’t have to drive far to get your fix. Let National Get Outdoors Day be your excuse to practice your swing, round up a foursome or even grab the kids for an afternoon of mini golf at Eagle Lake Golf Course in Plymouth. Equipment rental is available at each of our courses.


Disc Golf:

Disc golf courses at Bryant Lake Regional Park, Elm Creek Park Reserve and Hyland Lake Park Reserve offer scenic views and challenging holes. Disc rental is available, too.

More Outdoor Adventure:

  • Carver Park Reserve, Victoria - Grimm Farm Open House (1 – 4 p.m.)
  • Carver Park’s Lowry Nature Center - Nature on Wheels (1 – 4 p.m.)        
  • Fish Lake Regional Park - Stand Up Paddleboarding Demo (1 – 3 p.m.)
  • Hyland Lake Park Reserve - Fun on the Pond (2 – 4 p.m.)
  • North Mississippi Regional Park - Bugs and Toads (1 – 3 p.m.)
  • The Landing, Shakopee - Living History Saturday (10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)


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