Active Lifestyle
We're fans and we're participants. A state of 10,000 lakes (11,850 to be exact). We thrive on the 10,000+ activities accessible within city limits. We run, throw Frisbees, play broomball and curl. We have soccer leagues, hockey leagues, touch-football leagues and kickball leagues. Tri-athletes train here, marathoners compete here, Olympic skiers are from here. We fish, we golf, we do it all. Endless space, endless activities.
We even have a giant air freshener made of plants. Yep, the Midtown Greenway bicycle highway and walking path connects numerous Minneapolis neighborhoods to downtown. From Saint Paul you can head to Wisconsin on amazing trails winding alongside the Mississippi and through a nature sanctuary.
City founders set a mandate that 15% of land would be retained for park use. And, buildings cannot be built next to lakes. We're thankful.
Just the Facts:
- Homestore.com named Minneapolis one of the "The Top 10 Greenest Cities in America," one reason being that 60% of downtown workers use public or alternative transportation, according to “The Top 10 Greenest Cities,” by Nicki Kipen.
- Minnesota is home to nearly 11,850 lakes – 929 of which run through the Minneapolis Saint Paul metro area – and the Mighty Mississippi River connects the two cities.
- Minneapolis has 170 parks; Saint Paul boasts 160; and no resident in Minneapolis lives more than 6 blocks from a park.
- From Lake Nokomis to Lake Harriet, the state offers 90,000 miles of shoreline.
- More than 85 miles of paths for running, walking and biking wind through Minneapolis, with more than 100 miles of paths in Saint Paul.
- Minneapolis and Saint Paul have one of the only fully urban scenic byways in the country.
- Biking Magazine ranked Minneapolis Saint Paul one of the top 15 best cities for mountain biking.
Local Recreation 101:
Running
Runner's World Magazine named Minneapolis the “Second-Best Urban Area” in the country for running, citing beautiful trails and clean air. Midwest Living named the Grand Rounds (made up of seven byways for hiking, biking and walking) 1 of the 3 “Best Scenic Byways” in the nation, with more than 50 miles of paved trails.
Fishing
Urban fishing? Well, with 22 lakes within city limits, what do you expect? The country’s best muskie, walleye and bass await.
Golfing
Minnesota boasts more golfers per capita than any state in the union. With more than 170 golf courses in the metro area, clubs are considered work attire around here.
Hockey
Historically an outdoor sport played on frozen ponds, creeks and lakes, Minneapolis hosts America's largest pond hockey tournament, the U.S. Pond Hockey Championship. Attracting players from across the country and internationally, teams take to the ice on Lake Nokomis while thousands of spectators cheer. Men's and women's rec leagues keep NHL dreams alive for the non-professional athletes of our community. Hockey is ubiquitous to the state of Minnesota. Sticks in hand and puck in their pockets, youth hockey continues to grow, especially among girls.
Because there's so much to do and so many resources in Minneapolis Saint Paul, we're continuing to add information to this section daily. Visit often. If you have your own story or resources to share, please post a comment below. Thanks!
