Do This Now: Editor-selected events at Minnesota's state, regional and local parks

December 18, 2014 at 6:07PM
RICHARD SENNOTT•rsennott@startribune.com
Maple Grove , Mn. Friday 3/2/2007 Winter Storm
Elm Creek Park Reserve- Doug and Kristin Anderson of St Anthony Village spent the late morning cross country skiing with their 2 sons Joshua 2 1/2 and 5 yr old Gabriel.
RICHARD SENNOTT•rsennott@startribune.com Maple Grove , Mn. Friday 3/2/2007 Winter Storm Elm Creek Park Reserve- Doug and Kristin Anderson of St Anthony Village spent the late morning cross country skiing with their 2 sons Joshua 2 1/2 and 5 yr old Gabriel. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

1 Discover Winter snowshoe hike

Afton State Park, Dec. 20, 1-2:30 p.m.

Learn snowshoe basics before taking a naturalist-led snowshoe hike through the park. Snowshoes provided. Registration required; 651-231-6968. More information: www.mndnr.gov/ptcalendar.

2 Sledding party

Whitetail Woods Regional Park, Dec. 20, 6-9 p.m.

Meet at Empire Lake Picnic Shelter (17100 Station Trail, Farmington) for an evening of sledding under the lights on the park's new sledding hill. Bring your own sled. Campfire and s'mores provided. All ages. More information: www.dakota county.us/parks.

3 Cross-country ski lessons: Ski-skating basics

Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dec. 21, 9:30-11 a.m.

Learn ski-skating basics including efficient edging, gliding and control. Must have prior experience with classic cross-country skiing. Ages 13-plus. $24, $40 with ski rental. Registration required; 763-559-6700. More information: www.threeriversparks.org.

4 Cross-country ski lessons: Family classic

Elm Creek Park Reserve, Dec. 21, noon-1:30 p.m.

Learn skiing basics during this family-friendly group lesson. Ages 6-plus. $15 per person, $26 with ski rental. $22 for children ages 6-13 with ski rental. Registration required; 763-559-6700. More information: www.threeriversparks.org

5 Beginner snowshoeing for families

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Dec. 23, 1-3 p.m.

Meet at the Bloomington Visitor and Education Center for a beginner-friendly afternoon of snowshoeing. Learn a little bit about snowshoes before strapping them on and taking a naturalist-led hike down the river valley. Equipment provided. Ages 8-plus. Free. More information: 952-858-0715 or www.fws.gov/ refuge/Minnesota_Valley.

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