From Manicured to Naturally-Wild, City Parks Delight
By Jean Bowman
With 29 official city parks in Fergus Falls there are a variety of spaces to enjoy and places to explore. Built in 1908, Broken Down Dam collapsed in September 1909 and is now a ruin in the Otter Tail River, east of Fergus Falls. Improved trails and parking make access to the site an easy hike from the top. From the water, fishing, swimming and kayaking are popular.
The new disc golf course (27 holes) at DeLagoon Park con-tinues to be upgraded, and now includes rubber tee boxes. Tournaments last summer grew from their initial season in 2019 and resulted in positive feedback about the variety of the course and difficulty of some of the holes. Panoramic prairie and languid lakeside shots aren’t just for looks. The challenge of the sport (not to mention fluctuating wind, precipitation and temperatures) makes each round unique. Follow “DeLagoon Disc Golf Course” on the UDisc Golf app for updates.
Ready to take to the trails? Ferber Park offers mountain bike trails, a section of the North Country National Scenic Hiking Trail, eight acres of prairie grass and pollinators, and attracts bikers, hikers, bees, birds and butterflies!
It is a primitive park though with a few parking spots, a bike rack and information kiosk. Please pack in and pack out, helping to keep the park beautiful and healthy. In 2019 long-boarders discovered the Central Lakes Trail between Fergus Falls and St. Cloud as Fergus Falls hosted the Skate Central Lakes Endurance Festival. They’re planning to tackle the trail again in 2021. A bike ride or walk is the most popular way to enjoy this paved trail. Speaking of biking, Fergus Falls is now a silver level Bicycle Friendly Community as designated by the League of American Bicyclists. It is one of only two communities outside of the Twin Cities to achieve this level of designation. You’ll also find several Bicycle Friendly Businesses and M-State Fergus Falls, the first two-year college in Minnesota to achieve Bicycle Friendly University status.
Kids will squeal with delight as they climb, tunnel, hop and swing on new outdoor equipment in Noyes Park. It’s a great way to be active for adults too. Playgrounds in Adams Park, NP Park, DeLagoon Park, Red Sox Park, Athletic Park and Broadway Park are gems for all ages. Pack a picnic lunch, watch a softball game or play tennis. Green spaces are intentional throughout Fergus Falls. The conversion of some parkland to natural and prairie grasses helps protect the en-vironment, reduces costs, and filters water as it makes its way to the Otter Tail River. Walkers around Lake Alice will notice new native plantings, flowers and even a dog water-fountain, all newly installed in 2019. Speaking of dogs, a dog park is being built near Channing Avenue, along the south side of Grotto Lake. With plans to be open in 2021, Fido now has his own park to explore. Veterans Park and Wright Parks along the Otter Tail River provide benches for respite and reflection. And the beauty of Kirkbride Park near the Regional Treatment Center is a year-round delight – bring your cross country skis or snowshoes in the winter and make your own path. Festivals, concerts and movies draw crowds all year long.
Green gives way to white during the winter months. Outdoor skating rinks offer lighted night-skating and warming houses until 8 p.m. on Lake Alice. For hockey fans, sticks are allowed on the Channing and Cleveland rinks. Escape the elements and skate indoors at the community arena. Free open skating is generally on Sunday evening with additional hours posted on the city web site: Ci.Fergus-Falls.mn.us. That’s also a great web site for a complete overview of parks, amenities and addresses. Make time to enjoy these treasured spaces during your visit.
