july | august 2013
Visit ... Lochness Park Blaine’s Second Largest Park Eighty-nine acre Lochness Park is Blaine’s second largest park, located just north of 109th Avenue and just east of Lexington Avenue (11121 Lexington Avenue NE if you are using a GPS). There is an ample parking lot off the main Lexington Ave. entrance. A second parking lot near the north entrance at the end of Hupp St., where you will find two beautiful rain gardens filled with native plants. Lochness Park is also considered an open space due to its large undeveloped, natural area. Woods, wetland, pond, prairie, and meadow are all present. The park offers several unique amenities including a 9-hole disc golf course designed to challenge the recreational to the professional disc golfers, and a 20-acre lake with a fishing dock, which makes it easy to bring young children to wet a line. Picnic tables and shelters are available for a pleasant gathering. History of the park: In 1971, the Blaine City Council granted Johnson Brothers Construction Company permission to excavate land, providing they donate 80 acres of land to the city for a park. Johnson Brothers used the site to deposit fill from a
project in Minneapolis, resulting in the large hill at the south end of the lake. In 1972, the land was deeded to the City as a public park. Following a Park Board sponsored contest, the park was named Lochness, which means hill by a lake. The City acquired additional land through a state grant in 1977; and in 1995, the City received a matching grant of $20,000 from the State of Minnesota to construct the fishing pier, a second picnic shelter, additional trails, landscaping and a new parking lot. Lochness is a convenient destination for some fresh air and a walk. Several miles of trails with multiple loops and benches for a rest are present. You will enjoy the variety of vegetation found in the oak woodlands and wetlands with plants such as asters, ferns, and a variety of sedges dotting the landscape. The meadow by the parking lot is home to a range of native plants that flower throughout the summer season. “The Blaine Trailblazers” leave from the Mary Ann Young Senior Center and frequently walk on the trails at Lochness Park. Call Beverly at 763-571-7502 if interested in joining them.
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Monthly Recycling Drop-Off Day at Aquatore Park The City of Blaine sponsors a recycling drop-off day the third Saturday of each month in the parking lot at Aquatore Park. The parking lot is near the City water tower and water treatment plant. The collection event runs from 10 am until 2 pm, and is open to anyone. You do not need to be a Blaine resident to bring items to the drop-off day. JR’s Appliance Recyclers
651-454-9215
• Appliances, florescent lamps, electronics, rechargeable batteries, and tires. Please note that there is a fee for some items. Most appliances are $10 each. Air conditioners are $15. Most electronics are between $2 and $25 depending on size. You can also drop off tires and rechargeable batteries for a small fee. Free items include scrap metal and car batteries.
Bikes 4 Kids • Old bicycles for free to refurbish and distribute to needy children.
Community Outings For more information, please call 763-785-6164.
Salvation Army
612-332-5855 • Furniture (good condition, no rips, stains, scratches, and pet hair) • Textiles (clothing, bedding, towels, etc..) • Tools and sporting goods (including bicycles) • Household items (dishes, pans, collectables, etc..)
Delightful Hudson, Wisconsin Day Trip DATE: Wednesday, July 24 TIME: 10 am to 4:30 pm FEE: $58 (includes guide, lunch and admissions) We will start our day in vibrant Hudson with a backstage tour of The Phipps Center for the Arts - a premier performance and visual arts center. We will take in the Art Gallery that offers a glimpse of changing exhibits which may include oils, pastels, textiles, pottery or sculptures. The Carriage House and Garden House is also part of this tour.
Treasure Island Casino DATE: Monday, September 9 TIME: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm FEE: $5 ($3 food & $10 pull tabs) Pickup at the Mary Ann Young Senior Center. Register by September 2. Hutchinson, Minnesota Day Trip DATE: Friday, September 13 TIME: 8:15 am to 5:00 pm FEE: $66 Pickup at the Circle Pines Credit Union, 4 South Pine Drive. Register by August 30.
Salvation Army does not accept:
St. Croix Casino – Turtle Lake
Northshoare Colors DATES: October 1 – 3 For complete itinerary, please call 763-785-6164.
612-332-5855
DATE: Wednesday, August 7 TIME: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm FEE: $5 ($5 back at casino) Pickup will be at Mary Ann Young Senior Center. Register by July 31.
The Mary Ann Young Senior Center offers a variety of programs, social events, and dining options on weekdays. Call for more information and times or learn more online. Visit www.ci.blaine.mn.us and search keyword senior center.
• Mattresses & Box Springs (per MN law) • Recalled items (car seats, cribs, etc...) • Products made of particle board Randy’s Environmental Services • Free paper shredding.
Please note: No garbage will be accepted at the drop-off day. To learn more about recycling opportunities available in Blaine, call 763-785-6192 or visit www.ci.blaine.mn.us and search keyword recycle.