Next - Chanhassen - 2023

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NEXT ON JULY 4 CELEBRATION KEEPS ON EVOLVING

NEXT IN CAMPING FIND YOUR NEW ESCAPE CLOSE TO HOME

New eateries offer Carver County residents a

var i e t y of new b ites

Below Bode Gray’s sits its speakeasy, which opened its doors at the same time. The Brass Hat is an homage to the Prohibition-era speakeasy, the Sunset Inn, that was located on Waconia’s Coney Island.

LoganPassCoffeehouse opened in Cologne in April 2022. The name harkens back to the family’s trip to Glacier National Park and its adventure along the Highline Trail.

BY HELENA GUNDERSON hgunderson@swpub.com

Over the past year, new restaurants, bars and cafes have popped up all over Carver County, offering residents a variety of new menu options and dining experiences. From a low-key speakeasy to fast, casual Nepali cuisine, there’s something for everyone.

BodeGray’s opened its doors in February in what used to be Waconia’s VFW location. The James and DeWolf families of Waconia connected over their love of artisan pizza and desire to bring the fare to their local community.

Address: 125 W 1st St., Waconia, MN 55387

Owners of Minneapolis restaurants Gorkha Palace and Momo Doso opened their latest venture, Thaliwala , in March. Thaliwala offers Chanhassen residents a fast, casual, Indian and Nepali dining experience.

Address: 7850 Market Blvd., Chanhassen, MN 55317

The GetawayMotorCafe opened its doors in January in historic downtown Carver, with plans for a new patio slated for May. The cafe specializes in craft cocktails and coffee drinks.

Address: 120 Broadway St., Carver, MN 55315

Address: 202 Paul Ave. N, Cologne, MN 55322

Cologne gained another new spot last summer with the opening of Nutrition Fix . The shop specializes in healthy smoothies, shakes, juices and teas.

Address: 107 S Paul Ave., Cologne, MN, 55322

The Cologne Corral Bar & Grill opened its doors last year, as well, replacing its predecessor, Burky’s Bar and Grill. The Corral serves classic bar fare with daily weekday lunch specials.

Address: 505 Lake Street W, Cologne, MN 55322

Minneapolis’ Mayta’s Cafe opened a second location in Chaska in

New digs offer artisan pizza, Indian fare, craft cocktails and more

The Brass Hat in Waconia gives the

feel of a Prohibition Era speakeasy.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BODE GRAY’S

January, providing residents with a unique blend of Asian American cuisine.

Address: 1340 Crystal Lane, Chaska, MN 55318

Hackamore Brewing ‘s grand opening is set for April

28.

serve a rotating selection of locally-inspired traditional and experimental craft beers.

Address: 18651 Lake Drive E, Chanhassen, MN 55317

PHOTO COURTESY OF BODE GRAY’S Bode Gray’s in Waconia specializes in artisan pizzas.

The new Chanhassen brewery will

PHOTO BY HELENA GUNDERSON

Custom taps at Hackamore Brewing include flagship beers, a nonalcoholic option, and seltzers.

A new

Chan’s July 4th celebration keeps evolving

BY HELENA GUNDERSON hgunderson@swpub.com

Chanhassen’s Fourth of July Celebration is undoubtedly a fan favorite for local residents and beyond. The three-day festival attracts more than 70,000 attendees — over 2.5 times the population of the city.

This year marks Chanhassen’s 40th Annual Fourth of July Celebration. Past residents were not without a summer celebration, though, as the wild-west-inspired Frontier Days preceded the city’s current Independence Day celebration.

Those who experienced Frontier Days first-hand would tell you of a Chanhassen with a vastly different landscape than that of today — one where the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres was yet to exist or, once it did in 1968, was called “The Frontier.”

Herb Bloomberg, who opened Frontier Lumber around 1960 and The Frontier in 1968, is, unsurprisingly, largely credited with the inception of Frontier Days. At the time, Chanhassen was clearly leaning into its designation as the western-most town in Minnesota. Frontier Days offered a variety of events and activities — from mock bank robberies to the yearly

parade, of which Vice President Hubert Humphrey was the grand marshal in 1970.

The festival ended in the 70s and its spot as the city’s go-to summer celebration was left open until 1984, with Chanhassen’s First Annual Fourth of July Celebration. The parade wasn’t revived until 1996, with the city’s Centennial Parade, of which Bloomberg himself was grand marshal. City Center Park and Lake Ann Park have long been the headquarters for

the three-day affair.

As the city has grown in population and development, its downtown has seen a significant change from its earlier days. And, with the city’s Civic Campus project and Lake Ann improvement project on the horizon, it is likely that residents of today will remember Chanhassen’s downtown and Fourth of July celebration differently than residents of the future.

The city is blazing a new

trail, literally and figuratively, with its upcoming projects. The Civic Campus project, intended to revitalize the downtown area, will neighbor City Center Park and will undoubtedly enhance future Fourth of July celebrations.

Desired project elements include a new city hall and senior center, gathering and performance spaces, an accessible playground, pickleball courts, a splash pad and more. If all goes according to plan,

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANHASSEN PARKS AND REC

This year’s art for Chanhassen’s Fourth celebration was created by artist Adam Turman.

the project would be complete by July 4, 2026.

Lake Ann Park is also slated for improvements with hopes of extending the trail around the lake and eventually completing the loop. The goal of the project is to connect Chanhassen residents and protect the area’s natural resources. In addition to new trails, other possible improvements include new signage, parking, a bridge between Lake Ann and Lake Lucy, and natural resource management.

In a memo addressed to the City Council in June of 1988, then-Recreation Supervisor Todd Hoffman wrote, “The Park and Recreation Department is the driving force behind this celebration, with the continued support of those already involved and with new groups becoming involved each year, this celebration is becoming a tradition residents look forward to each year.”

The 1966 program of Frontier Days events was designed with a western flair. The event began in 1961 to pitch Chanhassen as the metropolitan area’s western edge.

It’s clear Hoffman’s vision has become a reality, and with new improvements, it will continue to be a cherished tradition for years to come.

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PHOTO COURTESY CHANHASSEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

FILE PHOTO

Jerry McDonald, Chanhassen city councilor and local volunteer, was the grand marshal of the 2022 Fourth of July Parade. He waved to onlookers from a convertible.

Go with the current and give paddleboarding a try

BY HELENA GUNDERSON hgunderson@swpub.com

Stand-up paddleboarding has seen a noticeable increase in popularity over the past few years, and Chanhassen is no exception. In a state with more than 10,000 lakes, there is ample opportunity to give paddleboarding a try, or to find somewhere new to explore with a board and paddle in tow.

“Paddle sports in general are accessible to so many people,” writes Sharon Brodin of Twin Cities Outdoors. “Just about anyone can learn it with a bit of instruction and some practice.”

Brodin suggests that beginners avoid places with a lot of motorboat traffic but to go somewhere with a public boat launch. She also advises new paddleboarders to go some-

where that’s comfortable for swimming in terms of water clarity and cleanliness, since most novices will likely fall in at some point.

The Twin Cities Outdoors website provides county-specific recommendations for a variety of outdoor activities, including paddleboarding. One recommendation for those who own their own board is the Carver Park Reserve. With

access to Zumbra, Steiger and Auburn Lakes, the reserve in Victoria offers a handful of paddling options. Unfortunately, there are no paddleboard rentals available, but Lake Auburn Campground offers canoe, kayak, and rowboat rentals.

Paddleboards are available to rent at the Lake Ann Park beach concession stand starting Saturday, May 17. Paddleboard rentals include a life

jacket and paddle, and cost $20/ hour. Renters must be at least 18 years old, and paddleboard users must be 14.

For kids interested in paddleboarding, Chanhassen Parks and Recreation Department offers youth paddle camps at Lake Minnewashta. The general paddle camp includes kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. If it’s only paddleboarding that’s of interest, parks and rec offers a paddleboard-only camp at the end of July. Check out the parks and rec website for registration information and availability. Additionally, Lake Minnewashta Regional Park has paddleboard rentals available for $15/hour, and the Carver County Parks Department offers a variety of paddleboarding classes and clubs for people of all ages.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANHASSEN PARKS AND REC Chanhassen paddleboards available for rent.

BY HELENA GUNDERSON hgunderson@swpub.com

This year, Chanhassen has continued its efforts to create “a community for life” and provide its residents with the ability to age in place.

Earlier this year, Lake Place opened its doors to renters 55 years of age and older. The apartment complex offers both market rate and affordably priced units and comes with an art room, coffee bar, fitness center, pickleball courts and more amenities.

Additionally, a memory care facility, The Moments Chanhassen, has been approved and is awaiting development.

A priority of the city’s civic campus project is a new senior center, and the preliminary concept includes a heated sidewalk between the senior center

SUMMER f or t h e a g e s for the ages

and library for easier travel between the two. The current center opened in 1992 and is the hub for Chan’s senior services and programming.

Here are some of the events going on this summer: From Grandmas’ Attic: An Epic Collection, Tuesday, May 23

In this session, collector Carol Gray will share some of her odd and interesting finds that she’s collected. A lunch of homemade soup and salad will be available after the session.

Dinner with the Mayor, Thursday, June 15

Residents 55 and older are welcome to a meal of summer favorites with Chanhassen Mayor Elise Ryan. After dinner, Ryan will update attendees on Chanhassen’s latest, and answer any questions.

Minnesota Twins Game, Thursday, June 22

Take a trip to Target Field to watch the Twins play the Boston Red Sox. Transportation to and from the game will be provided by Southwest Transit.

Lions Club 55+ Picnic at Lake Ann Park, Tuesday, June 27

The Chanhassen Lions Club will host a free picnic at Lake Ann’s Klinglehutz Pavilion. Grilled brats and hamburgers will be available with a variety of classic picnic sides, beverages and desserts.

County Fairs: A MN Tradition, July 13, 2023

Local author Doug Ohman will discuss the long-held Minnesota tradition of “The County Fair.” After the presentation, attendees are invited to have “Lunch-on-a-stick,” which includes a variety of foods on sticks — a delicacy at any selfrespecting county fair.

Trip to Circus Juventas – Arthurian Legends Show, Thursday, August 10

Attendees of this event will start off with a meal at Buca di Beppo in St. Paul. Afterwards, they will make their way to the performing arts school,

Circus Juventas, to watch an entertaining and artistic circus performance.

Driver Safety Courses, multiple sessions throughout the summer

For a small fee, seniors are invited to join a defensive driving course. The course consists of two 4-hour sessions, which can be taken via Zoom or inperson at the Senior Center. Upon completion, participants are eligible to receive a 10% discount on auto insurance for three years.

After the three years is up, those who have taken the initial defensive driving course are invited to take a single 4-hour refresher course that’s completion will allow the renewal of the insurance discount.

Visit the Chanhassen Senior Center webpage to register for any event and to see additional regularly scheduled programming options.

Chanhassen’s ‘community for life’ serves older residents

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Left —Carol Peickert leads the Chan-o-laires in “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” Right — The Chan-o-laires senior choir performed a variety of popular and old-time tunes at the event.

Novels, poetry and more from local authors

BY HELENA GUNDERSON hgunderson@swpub.com

Carver County libraries are bouncing back from pandemic set-backs and taking the lessons learned to increase library access and engagement. Last year alone, the Carver County Library System recorded over a million total book checkouts. The increase was due in part to a 69% increase in Libby eBook and eAudio checkouts and a 23% increase in the number of library cards

Maureen Nelson signs a copy of her book, “I Miss You Today,” on Jan. 28 in Excelsior.

PHOTO BY HELENA GUNDERSON

NEXT SUMMER READING LIST

issued. With continued momentum, 2023 could prove to be an even greater success.

Local Author Summer Reading List

Anthology

“View from the Shore: Selected Works of Waconia Writers” (2020) is a collection of written works from members of the Waconia Writers’ Group. The works span a variety of genres and offer stories from a wide array of perspectives, experiences, and writing styles.

Fiction

“The Essence of Time” (2021) by Katja Jeanneret of Switzerland, now Chanhassen, is historical fiction set in 1872 and 1985 Switzerland.

“Farmed and Dangerous” (2022) by Norwood Young America’s Amy Gregg is a “cozy,” small-town murder mystery.

“Call of the Eagle: A Space Opera Adventure” (2022) by Heidi Skarie of Minnetonka is the fifth and final book in her sci-fi “Star Rider” series.

Poetry

“What We Bring Home” (2021) by Victoria’s Susan Coultrap-McQuin features a series of poems about her travels to Southeast Asia.

Young Adult

“Stormy Encounters” (2023) by B.J. Howe of Chanhassen follows 16-year-old Steven Carlson’s summer of fast cars, dilemmas and hard choices.

Family & Children

“Ollie’s Snowy Day” (2021) and “Pickles, Pickles Everywhere” (2022) are the first two children’s books by Chaska’s Luke Walford.

“I Miss You Today” (2022) by Maureen Nelson of Chanhassen shares memories of her late grandson, Riggins, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and passed away at 8 years old.

More…

For those looking for more book recs and reading-oriented activities, the Carver County libraries have a variety of summer programs.

The Youth Summer Reading program begins June 1 and runs through mid-August. Participants can complete reading activities and book reviews to receive a free book and have their names entered into a drawing for prizes, such as state fair tickets, Twins tickets, books and Barnes and Noble gift cards. More information about the program and how to sign up can be found on the Carver County library website.

Other youth programming includes story times and outdoor story walks, book clubs, art and gardening projects and workshops, musical performances and activities, STEM/ STEAM programs, and more.

And, finally, the most dedicated book worms should mark their calendars for the upcoming summer book sales and book club meetings.

Book Sales

The Norwood Young America library will be host to the Springfest Artisan Fair Quilt Show and the Friends of the NYA Library Book Sale on Saturday, June 3.

Friends of the Waconia Library Book Sale: Saturday, July 15.

The three-day Friends of the Watertown Library Book Sale is held during the Rails to Trails community event on Friday, July 28; Saturday, July 29; and Monday, July 31.

Book Clubs

Chaska’s Teen Book Club in the Park (registration required) meets June 12, July 24 and August 21

The Watertown Book Club’s summer meetings are on June 19, July 17 and August 21.

The Waconia Book Club’s summer meetings are on June 20, July 18 and August 15.

The Chanhassen Library Book Club’s summer meetings are on June 27, July 25 and August 22.

Children’s Virtual Book Buddies book club (registration required) will meet via Zoom on July 13 and August 10.

For details, times, and registration information, visit the Carver County library website.

TEST YOUR SOIL Do n ’ t f or g e t t o Don’t forget to

you get a head start on next season’s crops.

BY TOM SCHARDIN tschardin@swpub.com

There are many advantages to raised garden beds — space, healthier harvests, water control, pest protection and even extending your growing season.

But perhaps the most overlooked advantage is the ability to control the soil. Your tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and other tasty garden treats need the proper soil to flourish. So when is the best time to test your soil?

That answer many not be so obvious, either.

Keith Piotrowski, a laboratory manager for soil testing

at the University of Minnesota, said the fall is the best time to test your soil — yes, after the growing season. It will help

“The nutrient status isn’t going to change,” Piotrowski said in a news release from the University of Minnesota Extension. “You can go out in the middle of October or whenever fall actually hits, collect a sample and send it to us. We will get your report back to you in approximately two weeks.”

Most of your area gardening and landscape shops have all the needed items, along with master gardeners’ advice for all types of home garden enthusiasts. Some good places to start in Scott and Carver counties include:

 The Mustard Seed Landscaping & Garden Center, 10000

Right amount of nutrients can be the difference in your garden success

FILE PHOTO

Raised beds can help home gardeners control the soil better and get started with the growing season earlier since the soil tends to warm up faster.

FILE PHOTO

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chanhassen includes more than 1,200 acres of gardens and tree collections, prairie and woods and miles of trails.

Great Plains Blvd., Chanhassen

 Cal’s Market & Garden Center, 6403 Egan Drive, Savage

 Hartman Companies, 8099 Bavaria Rd., Victoria

 Minnesota Gardens, 200 Pioneer Trail, Chaska

 The Garden By the Woods, 78 West 78th St., Chanhassen

 Plant Place, 800 West 78th St., Chanhassen

 Sailer’s Greenhouse, 1610 170th St E., Shakopee

 Queen Bee’z Lawn & Garden, 17860 Panama Ave., Prior Lake

Of course, you can’t forgot about the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, which serves as a research center for the University of Minnesota Extension. It’s a 1,200-acre public garden that attracts more than 500,000 visitors per year.

The Arboretum offers gardening and horticulture classes and workshops, including short courses from managing pests to an edible plants.

Yet still, no matter how much you learn, your garden success still may come back to your soil. Finding the right balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is not always easy for the average gardener.

“If you’re growing tomatoes, you want the most tomatoes per plant; the healthiest, the best tasting. If you’re growing flowers, you want the prettiest flowers,” explains Piotrowski.

“By having a soil test done, you can get a snapshot of the nutrient status of your garden. ... It’s a good way to check and make sure that there are sufficient nutrients there for optimal growth.”

Once you get your soil test results, it’s a matter of finding the right fertilizer for your garden. The N-P-K levels are printed on every bag sold, so then it’s your job to find the ratio closest to your test results.

“If you can’t find a product with the exact N-P-K ratio from your soil test, don’t worry, this is very common,” Piotrowski said. “We always say ... get as close as you can with the nitrogen level. That’s what’s necessary for growth and energy within the plant. From there, you can compromise a little bit for P and K.”

For more information on soil, as well as other types of gardening, go to extension. umn.edu/yard-and-garden.

FILE PHOTOS

The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center, 10000 Great Plains Blvd., Chanhassen.

Cal’s Market and Garden Center has been in Savage off County Road 42 since 1977.

LO O K ING FO R A BE ACH? LOOKING FOR BEACH?

Plenty to choose from in Carver and Scott counties

BY MATTHEW VOIGT mvoigt@swpub.com

Looking for a beach to sun, build a sandcastle or simply cool off during the hot and muggy Minnesota summer? Here’s a few of the

area’s local public beaches to help you beat the heat.

LAKE MINNEWASHTA REGIONAL PARK

The beach at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park in Chanhassen, 6900 Hazeltine Boulevard, is open Me-

the

morial Day weekend through the Sunday after Labor Day. The beach is open during park hours and has lifeguards from June 11 to Aug. 21 from noon-6 p.m. Amenities include changing rooms with showers and restrooms, shade umbrellas and picnic shelters for reserve.

Lake Ann Beach in Chanhassen is non-motorized, so watercraft rentals are popular at this location. These includes kayaks, canoes, paddle boats and paddleboards.

FILE PHOTO

LAKE ANN PARK

The beach at Lake Ann Park in Chanhassen, 1456 West 78th Street, is open starting Memorial Day weekend. It is guarded typically from mid-June to mid-August from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., weather permitting. In addition to the park, there are watercraft rentals, canoe and kayak rentals and various picnic sites.

LAKE WACONIA REGIONAL PARK

The beach at Lake Waconia Regional Park in Waconia, 8170 Paradise Lane, is open Memorial Day weekend through the Sunday after Labor Day. The beach is open during park hours and from June 11 to Aug. 21 the beach has lifeguards from noon-6 p.m. Amenities include onsite portable restrooms, seasonal shade umbrellas and nearby picnic tables and grills.

PRIOR LAKE BEACHES

There are two public beaches on Lower Prior Lake — Sand Point Beach and Watzl’s Beach at Lakefront Park.

Sand Point Beach, 14341 Crest Avenue, Prior Lake, is next to the most popular boat

launch for Prior Lake on the north side of the lake. The beach is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend and its hours are 5 a.m.-10 p.m. In addition to the typical park offerings, there are rentals for paddle boards,

canoes and kayaks, and picnic shelters. Because of limited parking, there is a $6 parking fee or a seasonal parking pass. Parking is first come first serve.

Watzl’s Point Beach, 5000 Kop Parkway, Prior Lake, is located in Lakefront Park on the south side of Lower Prior Lake. The beach is a quartermile walk from the parking lot. The beach is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

CLEARY LAKE REGIONAL PARK

Cleary Lake Regional Park, 18106 Texas Avenue, Prior Lake, has an unguarded beach on Cleary Lake. The beach is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Parking is free and is very close to the beach. There are restrooms and the beach is shaded by old oaks. There is also a trail around the lake, golf course and playground.

FILE PHOTO

A sign reminding guests to keep social distancing and practice good hygiene welcomes visitors to Lake Minnewashta Regional Park Beach in Chanhassen.

Reel in plenty of

Area lakes and streams offer opportunities for all kinds of anglers

BY TOM SCHARDIN tschardin@swpub.com

It’s been said that if you “give a man a fish, you will feed him for the day. Teach a man to fish, you’ll get rid of him for the whole weekend.”

That sort-of-famous quote was slightly altered, but Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes and fishing is quite popular. And yes, it can consume your entire weekend.

According to Explore Minnesota, only Alaska is ahead of Minnesota in terms of resident fishing participation. In 2020, there were 1.5 million licenses anglers in Minnesota.

The state is also the third most popular inland fishing destination in the country.

So where do hopeful anglers go to catch sunfish, bluegill, crappie, bass, northern pike and Minnesota’s State Fish, the walleye? And don’t forget trout; the state has about 3,800 miles

fish

TROUT FISHING

of designated streams available for fly or bait casting.

According the Minnesota DNR, the state’s 10 largest lakes — Cass, Kabetogama, Lake of the Woods, Leech, Mille Lacs, Pepin, Rainy, Upper Red, Vermilion and Winnibigoshish — account for 40% of the state’s walleye harvest each year.

But all of those lakes are up north. Where are the popular spots to fish in Scott and Carver counties? It depends on what you are trying to catch.

Upper and Lower Prior Lake have plenty of different varieties of fish — bass, northern pike, crappie, bluegill — but it’s primarily managed for walleye between 12 and 28 inches, according to the DNR.

Spring Lake is another popular walleye spot in Prior Lake. In December of 2021, a total of 3,099 walleye, equating to 309 pounds, were stocked into Spring, Upper and Lower Prior lakes.

Jefferson Pond, Lakefront, Crystal Lake and Cleary Lake are also spots to fish in Prior Lake, especially if you are looking for bluegill and largemouth bass.

McColl Pond in Savage is known for its bluegill and black crappie. It’s great for families or kids trying to reel in their first-ever fish. The same could be said for Lion’s Park Pond in Shakopee.

Jordan Mill Pond has that same feel, but there are also largemouth bass and northern pike to be had there. The pond is also a great spot to launch a canoe and fish for bass, or anglers can fish from the pier.

Beason Lake in Belle Paine, which is the Quarry Campground in the Minnesota Valley Recreational Area, is best for its crappie and bluegill.

In Carver County, there’s Lotus and Minnewashta lakes in Chanhassen and Steiger and Auburn lakes in Victoria. They all provide a wide-range of fish, including the familiar favorites, bluegill, crappie, sunfish, bass, northern pike and walleye.

Fireman’s Pond in Chaska has two fishing piers and, like Jordan Mill and McColl ponds, bluegill are abundant, along with sunfish and yellow bullhead.

Eagle Creek in Savage is a hidden gem for trout. It’s also the only trout stream in Scott County, which is at the crossroads of Highway 13 and 101. It’s a self-sustaining stream and is catch-and-release only.

Eagle Creek is known for its big brown trout that can be difficult to catch. It has native trees, prairie grass, invasive vegetation like buckthorn and beaver dams, while parts of it run behind industrial buildings and suburban backyards.

It’s not always about the fishing at Eagle Creek, but instead the nature that surrounds it.

Courthouse Lake in Chaska and Quarry Lake in Shakopee also have trout. Courthouse Lake, which was a former clay mine, is 10 acres where rainbow trout can be caught.

Quarry Lake is a former sand and gravel pit. The 70acre lake was designated for trout in 2018, and each year roughly 2,000 yearling rainbow trout get stocked in mid-October.

Jordan Mill Pond is stocked with bluegill, black

Jordan Mill Pond is stocked with black Crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike and bass and northern and is great place to take a kid fishing for the first time is great to take a kid for the rst time.

FILE PHOTO

Plenty of campsites to pick from this summer

BY BRENDAN O’BRIEN bobrien@swpub.com

For people who suffered from cabin fever the last few months, camping is one of the ways to get away and recharge your batteries.

“It makes a big impact on everyone, whether they realize it or not,” said Shaun Mertes, park facility supervisor for Scott County. “It’s just a good way to kind of recharge and disconnect from all the craziness that goes on with screens and technology and staying indoors.”

Eager campers have several opportunities to experience what both Scott and Carver counties have to offer during the warmer months. With many open from late April until the end of October every year, the campgrounds offer

visitors different programs and activities to enjoy.

While several parks are included in Carver County, Baylor Regional Park is the main attraction through the Carver County Parks and Recreation department with campgrounds available to people. The park includes 50 campsites with a mixture of utility sites with water and electric hookups and primitive sites for tents.

Campers can hike or bike different trails in the park as well as other outdoor activities like playgrounds, horseshoe pits and a disc golf course.

Along with the available camping activities, the park offers additional programs on Saturday mornings for families or groups to enjoy. Running from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, Saturday Morning Mischief is a free two-hour

program that involves different crafts, walks or scavenger hunts throughout the park. Drop-in archery lessons are also available on Saturday mornings for $5.

Camping with the Stars — a program taking place at Eagle Lake Observatory in Baylor Regional Park — is another camping opportunity the park provides. From July 21-23, the 16th annual program will have presentations, prizes, guided tours of the night sky and star gazing.

Lake Auburn campground in the Carver Park Reserve in Victoria also provides 55 drivein sites, two hike-in sites and one bicycle-in-only site. Campers are also able to rent water equipment like canoes, kayaks, rowboats and boats.

Further east, campers can find even more campgrounds within Scott County. One of

the main campsites in the area, Cleary Lake Regional Park, sits near Prior Lake and has 22 sites and several amenities.

“I would say it’s like an unmediated environment… so you don’t have a lot of traffic nearby, not a lot of noise or roads,” Mertes said. “You kind of feel like you’re getting away from the noise and congestion of people and all that stuff even though you’re not very far from shops or Prior Lake.”

Like Baylor Regional Park, Mertes said Cleary Lake occasionally holds health and wellness programs at the campgrounds on Saturdays throughout the season. It is not the only park in Scott County for camping enthusiasts, as Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park in New Prague is another group campsite available through the Three Rivers Park District.

GROUPS, TRAILS PROVIDE AR E A AREA

YC LIS T S CYCLISTS WITH SEVERAL OPTIONS

BY BRENDAN O’BRIEN bobrien@swpub.com

Winter has been long and grueling for several Minnesotans, but bicycling enthusiasts and beginners see the turn in the season as an opportunity to get outside once again.

There are plenty of ways people in the area can get involved in the sport, whether it is finding some area paths to pursue alone or joining weekly group-led rides. Here is some information on what to know before hitting the trails this spring and summer.

Biking by oneself is always an option, but one of the fun aspects of the sport, according to Jennifer Sobota of Great Scott Cycling Club, is socialization. Sobota, the group’s treasurer, said she has met several people from different backgrounds due to the rides and enjoys seeing how people grow after joining the group.

“We get new people that show up and might struggle on their first ride, and it’s just really nice to see some of these people that have come a long way since their first ride,” Sobota said. “It’s just really great to see those relationships develop and it’s just a fun time.”

Great Scott Cycling Club holds rides every Monday and Thursday throughout the summer, with the first ride taking

place on the first Monday in May and the final one taking place on the last Thursday in September. The road cycling group has about 120 members and divides them into six different groups based on experience and ability.

Michael’s Cycles in Prior Lake also holds its own rides three times a week, going through different trails in the area. Manager Stuart Thomas said the group has done fat tire bike rides in the winter but will begin road, mountain and gravel biking as the weather allows.

TRAILS

Both Scott and Carver counties offer different options for people to break out the bike on the trails instead of only road biking. Thomas said there are a variety of reasons why people might choose mountain or paved trail biking over road biking.

“A lot of people like the fact that they’re not having to deal with any cars and that kind of thing. So they feel safer riding single track, and it’s a really, really good exercise,” Thomas said. “A little bit more full body with climbing and such and obstacles that sometimes you have to ride over.”

Thomas mentioned Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake as a good option for paved trails, as the park has about three miles of paved trails that

connect to Big Woods Regional Trail. He added that the 10 miles of singletrack trails in the Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage has also become one of the most popular for mountain biking in the area.

Carver Park Reserve also offers about nine miles of paved

trails for riders along with the Monarch singletrack trail for mountain biking. The trail is currently 10 miles long, but construction is being done through October to add four miles. It will remain open during that time with some closures of different sections.

Mem Memb ers of the G reat bers Great S cot t Cycling Club Scott Cycling Club enjoy one of it s many one of its many group rides on the road group rides on the road throughout the summer throughout the summer.

PHOTO BY ANDREA GELHAR

Minnesota ranked 11th best state for golf by LINKS Magazine

BY TOM SCHARDIN

tschardin@swpub.com

What do The Wilds, the Chaska Town Course and the Meadows at Mystic Lake have in common?

Last summer, GolfWeek ranked the top 10 public golf

for all skill levels Plent y o f

courses in each state and those three made the cut in Minnesota. Chaska Town Course was ranked No. 4, followed the Meadows at Mystic Lake and The Wilds, both in Prior Lake, at No. 7 and 10, respectively.

Scott and Carver counties are filled with quality links to challenge the lowest handicappers, along with the average weekend duffers.

Southwest News Media’s annual “Best of the Best” readers’ choice contest selected Stonebrooke Golf Club in Shakopee as the best local golf course two years in a row in 2018 and 2019.

Stonebrooke is best known for its signature hole, the par4 eighth hole, which requires a tee shot over O’Dowd Lake and a ferry across the lake to the fairway.

“It was voted one of the top 10 holes in Minnesota and voted favorite par 4 by Tee Times Readers Choice Awards,” Stonebrooke general manager Einer Odland said after the course won “Best of the Best” for a second time.

Dahlgreen Golf Club in Chaska, the Ridges of Sand Creek Golf Course in Jordan

and Legends Club in Prior Lake are also recommended public links to play.

The Ridges of Sand Creek is also the home for the Minnesota State High School League’s Class AA boys and girls state tournaments each year in June.

Last March, LINKS Magazine ranked the best states for golf. Minnesota, where winter feels like it’s around for at least five months, ranked No. 11, one spot ahead of New York and one spot behind Illinois.

Not surprisingly, Florida was No. 1 and Alaska ended up No. 50.

Back in January, Minnesota Golf Association’s annual facility rounds study showed a 5.4% decrease in rounds in the state in 2022. But unfavorable weather, and not an absolute decline in golfer participation, was considered the most influential factor.

It’s the first time in four seasons that rounds were down in the state.

“As we discovered during the pandemic, golf was one of the few sports or activities

that all Minnesotans could safely participate in throughout the summer,” said Tom Ryan, MGA executive director and COO, adding that “even though rounds played were down (in 2022) compared to last (four summers), they were very close to 2020 numbers.

“This is an indicator that interest and enthusiasm in the game remains very high.”

The Meadows at Mystic Lake has also been the home for the LPGA Land O’Lakes Legends Classic the last two summers. Hall of Famer Juli Inkster won the inaugural event and 2021 and defended her title in 2022.

The golf course is not only challenging for some of the top women professionals, but for any skill level.

The course is surrounded by 11 acres of wildflowers and prairie plants and has 80 bunkers. The fairways, tees and greens are bent grass, and there’s a 2,500-foot stream that

PHOTO BY TOM SCHARDIN

The approach shot on the par- 4, 18th hole at Dahlgreen Golf Club in Chaska is not an easy one.

flows through the course with five total waterfalls.

“Unique at The Meadows are the par 5’s, which can typically be holes to score, but are some of the more difficult holes and

are all guarded by water,” said Mike Luckraft, the director of golf at The Meadows.

The Chaska Town Course is also a great place to play for all skill levels. The course can

play long, 6,817 total yards, or shorter for beginners at 4,900 yards.

The Wilds, designed by Tom Weiskopf, a 16-time winner on the PGA Tour, is known for

its mature trees and natural wetlands. With 70 bunkers and multiple water hazards, the course from the tips (7,025 yards) can be challenging for many low handicappers.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The par 4, eighth hole and Stonebrooke Golf Club in Shakopee was voted one of the top 10 holes in Minnesota and voted favorite par 4 by Tee Times Readers Choice Awards.

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