Minnesota Parks – Great Minnesota Outdoors

A sign to know you have arrived. — Casey Lake Park

A simple park can be the best park. Casey Lake Park is a 33-acre park located in North Saint Paul Minnesota, right off of Mcknight on 17th Ave E. It offers a beautiful walking trail, four baseball fields, 3 separate playgrounds, a great in-door gathering space, an ice hockey rink, a volleyball court, as well as a breathtaking dock view of the lake. (A perfect place to fish.)

Showing the walking path — Take a stroll on the walking path.

Walking the path at Casey Lake Park is refreshing. Each step brings something new. You will see nature, you may see a baseball game or four, people barbequing, kids playing at the playground, the possibilities are endless as there is so much to do at this park!

Showing how the fall weather has enhanced the park. — Casey Lake is beautiful in the fall!

The fall weather really brings out the best in nature, Casey Lake is a perfect example of that, with the change of color on the fallen leaves.

This is one of the popular spots at Casey Lake Park. When you walk out into the center of the dock, you feel as though you are standing on the water. There is beauty in all directions when you stand in the center of this octagon-shaped dock.

the bridge that connects upper and lower Casey. — Cross the bridge.

This bridge allows you access to the older half of Casey Lake Park. Across this bridge are the old wooden playground and two of the baseball fields.

this playground emphasizes the age of the park. — Old wooden Jungle Gym

This was the first playground that was at Casey Lake Park. It looks quite simple now compared to the usual playground in this day and time. It seems more of an obstacle course rather than a playground.

Showing another activity that can be done at the park. — Enjoy a game of volleyball or badminton!

Another great addition to the many things to do at Casey Lake Park!

Casey Lake Park is a wonderful destination. There is so much to do at this park. There is something for everyone from sports fans to nature walkers and everything in between, this park offers everything! If you get the chance to visit, do not hesitate to do so!

If you would like to know more about Casey Lake Park, follow the link below! https://www.northstpaul.org/557/Casey-Lake

Growing up only a block away from Casey Lake Park has been a blessing. I spent much of my childhood there, playing baseball and having football practice. My mother also used to run a daycare and living so close gave her the opportunity to get all of those kids outside. Casey Lake Park will always have a very special place in my heart and the memories will live there forever.

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Mississippi River County Park

Mississippi River County Park, located near Rice, Minnesota is a place filled with nostalgia and memory making possibilities. I grew up a just 6 miles south of this park in Sartell, Minnesota and found myself here often in my teens and early 20s and now again with my own child. This is where I first learned to drive, had girl scout events, walked with friends, went on nature dates, and spent hours in solitude on their wide paths through the woods.

This park welcomes visitors in every season. In the warm months you can enjoy activities like walking, disc golfing, 80-person picnic shelter area for rent, boating and canoe access points, fishing and much more! In the winter, the hiking and disc golf trails are used for cross country skiing or snowshoeing and you can easily access the river to enjoy how beautiful it is frozen over. With 230 acres total and over 5 miles of trails this park is accessible but full of options. From personal experience this is also a fantastic place to stargaze or view planets when they are accessible with a telescope!

In addition to fun things to do, as of 2018 Mississippi River County Park has received help from the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) to work towards conservation of native prairie land. Prior to colonizers coming to Minnesota, there was an estimated 18 million acres of prairie land compared to less than 00,000 in 2010. With the initiative of restoring 500 or more acres of land annually they hope to maintain 300,000 acres of state park and trail systems by 2040.

Mississippi County River Park is a family friendly park that is perfect for the everyday person and seasoned outdoor connoisseurs alike. This park really had something for everyone! With the nature preservation efforts we can use this park and respect the land for our children and beyond. Are parks the same as you remember growing up? What are your favorite places to go in central Minnesota?

Author: Melissa Foy
Photos by Rachel Skaj