Minnesota winters have a tendency of keeping us locked up in our homes—safe inside, away from the biting winds and bitter temperatures. But summer is upon us now, and it’s time to shed those winter blues and venture out into the world. Luckily for Maple Grove residents, we have the largest of the Three Rivers Park District parks right in our backyard. Elm Creek Park Reserve is a vast 4,900 acres of land that is host to numerous activities year-round. In the summer months, the park offers a swimming pond, biking trails, hiking trails, horseback riding, dog parks, and much more. But three particular activities have caught our attention—archery, disc golf and geocaching; all sure to help you bust out of that winter coma you’ve been living in.
Archery
Located in the Northern area of the park, the archery range is the perfect place to practice your marksmanship. The range includes multiple stationary targets set at various distances, as well as a walk-through target course. “It gets you moving around,” says Dan Fjell of the Three Rivers Park District about the walk-through course. “The distances change greatly from station to station. It simulates actual shots that one might take while hunting wild game.”
Keep in mind that when choosing to use the archery range at Elm Creek, the park does not provide equipment on any given day, but will provide it when you participate in one of its classes.
Signing up for one of these courses is ideal for beginners. “When teaching groups, we spend a good deal of the class going over safety and proper shooting technique,” Fjell says. “These really go hand-in-hand—being confident in your shooting ability will keep everything that much safer.” One-day passes are $5 and annual passes are $35.
Disc Golf
Disc golf has gained intense popularity in the past few years among the college-aged crowd. It’s a sport that requires patience, skill and accuracy. Luke Williams, a facility supervisor at Elm Creek Park, says that disc golf is most comparable to one of its parent sports. “It’s like playing real golf,” he says, “but instead of using clubs, you’re throwing a Frisbee. You have a different Frisbee for every situation, just like you would have a different club for every situation in a game of real golf. There is a driver Frisbee, a putter Frisbee, and so on and so forth.”
The course features 18 holes, including two par fours that go through a section of trees and demand extreme precision. Compared to other local disc golf courses, Elm Creek offers one of the biggest. “We have one of the larger, more open spaces for our course,” Williams says. “It takes you through prairie grass and wooded areas. It’s a really scenic course.” One-day passes are $3 and annual passes are $35.
Geocaching
Geocaching is a great opportunity for the whole family to work together while having fun. This technology-focused treasure hunt is played by using a GPS unit to find a hidden cache. Caches range from old flashlights to small Rubbermaid containers, and hold trinkets that treasure finders can trade. “When a group goes geocaching, they must bring items to trade for what they find in the cache,” says recreation specialist Dan Fjell. “This is not necessary to do—but if you take, you must trade.”
Be sure to wear hiking attire, as a long day of geocaching could cover up to five miles of land. Fjell notes that when kids are involved in the hunt, it’s smart to bring along some snacks as well. “It’s very family-friendly though,” says Fjell. “You have to look in trees, logs and under bridges. It’s an exciting experience that teaches kids patience and perseverance when they finally find what they have been looking for.” Don’t forget your GPS unit, as the park does not offer rentals. Elm Creek Park also asks that all participants read the geocaching guidelines before setting off on their adventure.
