After yesterday's paddle, I gotta say this place is bliss…read more I'd kind of scoped it out a few days prior just by taking a hike around the entirety of the lake to see what all it had to offer besides hiking and biking. I'd parked over by the larger beach (Nokomis Main Beach) on the west side (there's a smaller one on the east side), utilizing the free parallel parking which was available since it wasn't yet a busy afternoon rather than the pay lot. The large beach is quite nice, with some play equipment for the kiddos, a decent restroom facility, even a eatery/ice cream place. Seasonally, there's also a rental place for kayaks/canoes/swan boats if you don't have your own. There's another parking lot on the north end which is nearby a dock that's great for putting in your own kayak/canoe. This is also where you'll find the nearby Community Center with lots more play equipment and tennis courts outside, as well as gyms and rooms inside (open in the afternoons/evenings). It looks to me that the community center offers a lot of classes/activities for kids throughout the year that you can sign up for. I took a quick detour inside and admired their small common area with little library, fish tank, art, etc. Walking around the entirety of the lake will also take you over the car bridge, which offers some nice views. Just north of that bridge is also where the fancier boats are anchored. When I came back the second time with my inflatable kayak, I was able to easily get out onto the water and enjoy my time. Lovely warm September day meant lovely warm lake water, and I paddled the length of it and back, stopping frequently to just lay back and vibe. I especially enjoyed relaxing at the southern end of the lake where the planes fly directly over on their descent into MSP airport. So cool to marvel at!

Love walking around this lake. Cool beach fronts and nice open fields with playgrounds.read more

This park was a park that I happened to find on Yelp while eating some lunch in Shakopee. I saw…read morepictures that an out-of-towner posted which made me want to check it out. What a nice park. I was surprised that this park was so large with everything to do there, they have trails, lake, beach, all kinds of sports fields and play sets. There is something for everyone. I took a lot of pictures because I would round a bend or come over a hill and see the park is bigger and with more to offer. This park is well kept and well marked. I can't wait to stop back to capture more photos and some sunshine. Have a great day. Keep Yelping! Enjoy the photos and maybe I will see you there. Make sure that you say HI.

This recreational park was one of my favorite places that we stopped while I was in town. There is…read moreample parking and the park was pretty empty but, it's was a cooler fall day. There is a playground that has equipment for all ages, swings, basketball courts and a skate park. There was also pavilions, arbors and a beautiful gazebo. The lake runs through this park and there was plenty of benches on the walking trails. I took the shaded trail that leads down to the lake front beach and it was absolutely gorgeous. Tree covered pathway through the forest and the crisp fall air whipping by is enough to make anyone's stress melt away. There is a map at the bottom of the trail near the lake that shows the various trails throughout the park. It does circle around no matter which outlet you take back into the main park area. Since it was a paved trail it was an easy hike and a great opportunity to take in the leaves changing colors. The beach park was small but, it did appear to have bathroom facilities and enough room to take a dip during the summer. Unfortunately it started to rain so, I didn't get to walk the trail to the front where there was a nice walking bridge.

I play volleyball here occasionally, and it's one of the most beautiful parks in the Twin Cities…read more It has well kept sand volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts. There's also a decent beach located on the lake. There's a ton of parking. Overall this park just has great vibes going on.

Okay, maybe I'm biased because my husband and I had our wedding at the barn at Lake Riley but... I…read morelove this park! Plenty of amenities such as trails, a picnic area, a basketball court, a tennis court, a big playground, grills, etc. The beach is really nice, and there is a lifeguard present. You can drink in the picnic area (not the beach). Makes for a nice afternoon.

There are sand volleyball courts just a tiny walk away and people gather there to just play. It's…read moreamazing and the people there are super kind and inclusive. (I would know I'm always the youngest there by like 10 yrs) It is my favorite place and playing makes me indescribably happy. It's amazing the most popular time is about 6-9 bc it's getting colder and more people come. We go everyday now (when we can) It's amazing please try it out if you are interested or just like V-Ball

I go here on a regular basis. It is and always will be one of my favorite late walks in the Twin…read moreCities. About 3.12 miles around and you get a little bit of everything. There is nothing like it in the summer.. there is a spot where you can rent a kayak if you want (which I do fairly often on a hot day) and you can pull it up to a beach and take a dip. Just so lovely. The walk is also great and it gives you a bit of everything. Gorgeous lake, some wood scenery, on a main road as well if you want to stop off and grab food or a coffee. There are a few parking lots where you can pay for parking but there is also a lot of free street parking which is typically what I do. Just all in all a lovely walk everytime.

This is a decent park overall…read more We like to walk here because the path is fully paved and it goes most of the way around the lake (Highland Lake). To get around the whole lake, you'll need to exit and walk on neighborhood roads in the same rotation that you've been moving and re-enter the park when you come across it again. I kind of wish that it went around the whole lake, but then again, I'm not a fan of eminent domain and steamrolling things. So I'll take it as is. There are newer benches throughout, plus a pavilion, plus grills and a small playground. Geese and ducks love the lake and rarely come on land, so hopefully no goose attacks are in your future. I cannot guarantee that, however. The parking lot is big, unless there are a lot of people there. Then it's not big enough. ;-) As I always say, "Better a Kordiak than a cardiac!" (Actually, I've never said that. Um, never mind!) Though it is good to get out and walk, I will say. (I do actually say that.) That's my 23 cents on this dealio.

Surprisingly peaceful, good short trails to walk, a nice "waterfall", and lots of lily pads in the…read moresummer!

I recently came here to ice skate and had a really pleasant time! The pond had been cleared off in…read morea somewhat oval shape and was relatively smooth. I would recommend it if you have your own skates!

Fireman's Park is located on the west side of downtown Chaska. Easily accessed by walking and…read moredriving. It is adjacent to the Chaska community center and Crooked Pint's patio overlooks it. It is a fantastic area for kids. With playgrounds, a splash pad, and fishing allowed by the DNR it is a great place for first-time fishing experiences. The lake has crappies, bluegill, walleye, and largemouth bass. It is also ice-skating available in the winter months. The landscaping is beautiful. They have flower gardens and an awesome boardwalk that lights up at night. It's a stunning sight. The fun continues with a beach that has lifeguards on duty from 1 PM - 7 PM during the season in addition to your required supervision. The concession stand and restrooms are available from Memorial Day to October. a beach. Planning a party? The picnic shelters are available to rent for an affordable cost. You can rent a time block of 9 AM - 3 PM or 4 PM - 10 PM. Speaking of renting.. paddle boats and paddle boards are also available for 30 minutes at a time. There are many monuments around the park to teach about the brick-making in Chaska and the history of the local fire firefighters. It is so important to see brave heroes being memorialized and remembered here.

Kind of a sleepy suburb, but an all around charming place. If I had to pick one or two things worth…read moreseeing, I'd say it's the RH Rooftop restaurant and Centennial Lakes Park.

It's much more beautiful in the summer time but is also nice to walk through in the winter time…read more Beautiful plants, fountain and a gazebo, Right now there's two area that are ponds due to this winters strange weather, rain and thaw. If you are looking for a neat place to walk around (in Spring, Summer and Fall), come check it out.

Lake of the Isles is a lake in Minneapolis, it's connected to Cedar Lake and Bde Maka Ska. It's…read morepart of the Chain of Lakes. It's a park area. There's a walk area, and around the lake there are fancy homes.

This is my favorite lake in the twin cities, especially during the fall when the leaves are at peak…read moreintensity of fall colors! I especially love paddle boarding here because it's usually a short walk from street parking to the lake. The views are spectacular and the wildlife is fun to watch. The walking paths around the lake are always well maintained and it's about a 3 mile loop around, with great views the entire time.