Robbins Island
R
offers plenty for visitors
obbins Island Regional Park has been called the jewel of the Willmar park system. It is 55 acres of woods and open green space, located between Foot and Willmar lakes on Business Highway 71 North. The wooded park has one of the largest playgrounds in the state, natural trail, grills and restrooms. Throughout the park there are opportunities for many outdoor activities ranging from hiking and disc golf to boating and fishing.
Destination Playground The newest addition to the park is the Destination Playground. The project was funded through private donations, constructed by community members in May 2017 and opened to the public in June 2017. The 19,000-square-foot playground is fully accessible and includes equipment for able and disabled children. The park has a variety of slides, swings and climbing apparatuses along with themed areas with a castle, barn and train. Shelters Robbins Island has seven shelters available for rent. The enclosed shelters, which have electricity, can be rented for $100; Open Shelter No. 1 (has electricity) $32; Open Shelter No. 2 and Lions Shelter (no electricity) $20. All shelters require a $50 refundable deposit. To reserve a shelter, call 231-8490 or download the rental form on the city website. Disc golf course Disc golf is a light impact sport for ages 16 and over. The recreational sport has exploded across the country in recent years, and the Robbins Island nine-hole course in Willmar is a beauty of its own. Disc golfers navigate around trees, hills and lake water. Don’t worry about getting lost. At the first tee box, there are scorecards and a map to help you keep track of your “throws” and stay on task. The course encompasses the entire park. It starts at the driveway entrance to the Green Shelter and continues to wrap counterclockwise around the island, ending about 50 feet from the No. 1 tee box. Course will be signed.
Disc Golf Tournament The fourth annual Toys for Tots Disc Golf Tournament will be held at Robbins Island, Saturday, July 28, For more information contact Tournament director Steve Gralish (steve.gralish@yahoo.com). Players can also register online at discgolfscene.com. Movies in the Park Fridays, movies to begin at dusk with pre-activities before, June 15 (9 p.m. “Beauty and the Beast”), June 20 (9 p.m. “Jumanji”), Aug. 17 (8 p.m. “Coco”), Sept. 21 (7 p.m. “Despicable Me 3”), at Robbins Island Park. Free admission, popcorn and pop. Pre-activities begin one hour before the movie, including inflatables, arts, crafts and games. Bring blanket, chairs and bug spray. In case of bad weather the events will be moved to the City Auditorium. Call 231-8490 for more information. Rockin’ Robbins Free outdoor concert series sponsored by the Willmar Rotary Club to raise money for Robbins Island improvements. Each event includes free concert, food vendors, beer/wine tent, kids activities and artisan market. Concerts take place at Robbins Island from 5 to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays July 17 (Matt Vee and the Killer Vees Classic Country Tribute), July 24 (Pamela McNeill Fleetwood Mac Tribute), July 31 (Big Toe and the Jam) and Aug. 7 (Fabulous Armadillos).
County library hours ATWATER: Monday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday 2 to 6 p.m.; Friday noon to 3 p.m.; 322 Atlantic Ave., Atwater; 320-974-3363 LAKE LILLIAN: Monday and Tuesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 431 Lakeview St., Lake Lillian; 320-664-4514. NEW LONDON: Monday noon to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday 1 to 5 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to noon; 5 Ash St. S., New London; 320-354-2943. RAYMOND: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 1 to 6 p.m.; Tuesday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 208 Cofield St. N., Raymond; 320-967-4411. SPICER: Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday noon to 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 198 Manitoba St., Spicer; 320-796-5560. WILLMAR: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 410 Fifth St. SW, Willmar; 320-235-3162.
Page 42 — West Central Tribune — Thursday, May 24, 2018