As with the rest of the Midwestern states, farms are a defining feature of the Minnesotan landscape. While many still operate as working farms, others have been converted to farm parks. These green spaces afford families the opportunity to take to the lake or trail together on land that may have once-grown crops like canola or wheat. Many of these places can be easily accessed from the Twin Cities. Read on to discover some of the best farm parks in Minnesota.
1. Crosby Farm Regional Park
This park, located only fifteen minutes southwest of central Saint Paul, can be found in the city’s Highland Park neighborhood and was established on English immigrant Thomas Crosby’s 19th-century farm. As well as easy access to nearby Watergate Marina’s state-of-the-art docks, Crosby Farm Regional Park offers visitors almost seven miles of paved running/bike-riding trails, panfish fishing in Crosby and Upper Lakes, and use of Crosby Shelter, a covered picnic area that can be reserved and that seats 50 people. Crosby Farm can be accessed every day from sunrise to 11 p.m. For more information, check out the park’s website.
2. Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park
Located on the south shore of the eponymous lake about 45 minutes southwest of downtown Minneapolis, Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park offers visitors the chance to engage in a variety of fun-filled outdoor activities. Funseekers can ride their bicycles on the park’s one-mile trail, take their pooch for a walk on the 0.8-mile dog-walking path, go boating or swimming free of charge at Cedar Lake, or fish for largemouth bass and walleye from the lake’s pier. In the wintertime visitors can also take in the 2.7 miles of snowshoeing trails along the lake’s shore. Although the lake is "open" to visitors for swimming from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, the park itself is open year-round from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, check out the park’s website or Facebook page.
3. Gale Woods Farm
Open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, Gale Woods Farm is a working farm on Whaletail Lake about 30 minutes west of downtown Minneapolis. The property features three miles of hiking trails from which animals like chicken, cattle, and sheep can be seen, 4.2 miles of snowshoeing trails through fields, forests, and wetlands, and access to Whaletail Lake, a 558-acre body of water that allows visitors to fish for crappie and panfish or go kayaking and canoeing. There is even a store where you can buy products like eggs, turkey, carrots, and tomatoes. There is also a picnic pavilion available for rent as well as picnic tables with views of the lake. Note that because this is a working farm with animals on property, dogs are not permitted at the park. For more information, check out the park’s website or the property’s Facebook page.
Most people are familiar with their communities' neighborhood parks which feature playgrounds and picnic tables. While these are a convenient way to entertain one's kids for an hour or so, an even better diversion is a trip to a farm park. With many more options for fun - from biking, swimming, and exploring the property's trails - farm parks offer many hours of entertainment fit for the whole family.
Be sure to check out the properties on this list the next time you are in the Twin Cities. After you are done blowing off steam, stop by this famed Minneapolis hamburger joint to refuel. Have you been to any of the parks on this list? Let us know about your visit in the comments!
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