Like the outdoors but don’t want to travel far? If that’s you, the Cottage Grove Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission recently did an in-city parks tour this past June 14, showcasing some of the gold star recreation locations Cottage Grove has to offer.

Starting at City Hall, the tour departed to the East Ravine Future Development Area. From there it went past Glacial Valley Future Community Park, then Sunnyhill followed by Still Ponds. From Still Ponds it was on to a stop at the West Draw Bike Park, followed by one at Oakwood. From Oakwood it was on to the Strawberry Fields Future Park followed by a viewing of the Hamlet Park Extension. From Hamlet Park it was on to River Oaks Golf Course, and last but not least, a visit to the potential Community Center site, the project up for referendum approval this November. Travel time with stops?

Two hours.

Ok, so what are some concrete examples of green space?

Glad you asked. Following is a partial review of city offerings.

Starting with Sunnyhill Park, the five-acre play space is located in the Pine Cliff neighborhood and includes a playground, basketball half-court, picnic shelter, trail connection, pickleball court, landscaping, and open space. Located at 6201 Ideal Avenue, Sunnyhill Park is sure to please!

Shifting next to Pine Tree Pond Park as another example of in-city fun, the park located at 8300 Isleton Court South has an archery range, basketball, a playground, sledding hill, and trails. The name itself comes from—you guessed it—a nearby pond.

Moving on then to West Draw Bike Park as our next example, the recreational fun spot located at 7050 Meadow Grass Avenue South consists of 26 acres in the Pine summit neighborhood. Similar to other local parks with trails and a picnic space, West Draw also has three soccer fields, a pump track, dirt jumps, a mountain bike skills area, and a mountain cross track.

Last but not least for local park examples, is the Oakwood Park. Among the offerings of Oakwood Park at 7851 Harkness Avenue are a disc golf course, grill, picnic shelters, playground, sledding hill, and trails, along with baseball and softball.

Along with recreation in city limits, however, also come rules. Parks in Cottage Grove are open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and there are no alcoholic beverages in parking lots and no glass bottles. Additionally, there is no littering and all garbage and refuse must be placed in waste containers. No unleashed pets, and now fires, except in designated grills. No motorized vehicles either. Last but not least on the short list viewable in more detail under the City’s Park Rules Ordinance, there is NO GOLFING (or stray golf balls!) allowed within city parks. Helping keep city parks clean means that everyone can enjoy them.

For more information, click the parks and recreation tab at www.cottagegrovemn. gov.