With over 100 city parks that offer everything from natural areas to walking trails and total more than 3,500 acres, it’s easy to get outside and enjoy all the natural beauty around Rochester, Minnesota. The next time you’re interested in spending quality time in the great outdoors, check out some of these top options in Rochester’s park system.
Silver Lake Park
Silver Lake Park is conveniently close to downtown Rochester. Yet, when you start walking on the paths in the park, you can find yourself in the middle of a forested area. The park has a variety of activities to enjoy, including horseshoe pits, baseball and softball fields, a skate park, football field, and a soccer field. You can rent one of the canoes or paddle boats to explore the lake, or you can try your hand at fishing from the shoreline. On hot days, the outdoor swimming pool is the perfect place to cool down.
Quarry Hill Park
Quarry Hill Park is a treasure in the Rochester community that offers an incredible variety of things to do. You can head out on more than 8 miles of hiking trails to explore the history and beauty of the area. Take a walk to the pond to view the ducks, turtles, frogs, and muskrats living around the water. The park also has two old quarries that are the ideal spot for hunting fossils. Don’t forget to spend some time at the Quarry Hill Nature Center to see the live animals, indoor beehive, and exhibition hall.
Allendale Park
Allendale Park is a lovely area that offers something to enjoy during every season. When the weather is warm, head out to the park for the baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, and open play field. The park also has a nice playground with swings, slides, tunnels, and climbing pieces that are popular with children of many ages. In the winter, make sure you come back to Allendale Park to spend some time enjoying the outdoor hockey rink and warming house.
Douglas State Trail
The 12.5-mile Douglas State Trail is a multi-use rail trail that follows the abandoned Chicago Great Western Railway. The trail starts in Rochester, runs through the small town of Douglas, and ends at Pine Island. Along the way, it passes through scenic forests and rolling fields. The trail has a paved section for bicyclists and walkers and a natural surface area for horseback riders and snowmobiles.
Foster Arend Park
Foster Arend Park is a lovely spot that’s one of the most popular places to cool down during summer. The park features a large lake that has a sandy beach, swimming area, and inflatable water park. The lake is also stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, rainbow trout, and white crappie for fishing. Additionally, you’ll find sand volleyball, horseshoes, walking trails, a playground, open play field, and picnic shelters in the park.
Whether you’re looking to learn something new at a nature center or take a scenic bike ride on a trail, the park system in Rochester offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Image by Ryan Claussen is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0
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