Parks & Recreation Month in Todd County: An abundance of parks and trails

It has been found that amenities such as recreation opportunities are as important for healthy local economies as traditional “business-friendly” measures such as lower taxes and labor costs. Smaller cities with a higher quality of life experience higher employment and population growth than similarly situated communities, including those that rank high by traditional economic competitiveness measures. Outdoor recreation and activities are important for the quality of life and drive economic development because they bring tourist dollars and create attractive, vibrant, and resilient communities.

It is July, and it is Parks and Recreation Month across the country - the perfect time to get outside and enjoy all that Todd County has to offer! Todd County offers an abundance of Parks and Trails to explore, making our community an incredible place for families and outdoor adventurers. Apart from these, Todd County also has an abundance of quality lakes for fishing, boating, swimming, and recreation.

Some great recreation opportunities in Todd County

There are so many fun things to do in the vast outdoors of Todd County that it is difficult to narrow it down to a shortlist. Still, here are some great bike, hike, and snowmobile trails.

Lake Wobegon Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail: The Todd County portion of the Lake Wobegon Trail is 7.6 miles long and extends east from Osakis through West Union and south to the Stearns County line. The Stearns County connection was completed in 2007, making this trail system one of the longest blacktopped and off-road bike & pedestrian trails in our nation, approximately 125 miles long. The Osakis Visitors Center is located adjacent to the trail in downtown Osakis, with visitor parking available. In West Union, the trail passes through their downtown City Park, also with visitor parking available.

Snowmobile Trails: What is unique to Todd County is snowmobiling. Snowmobiling is a popular pastime in Todd County with approximately  400 miles of groomed trails winding through the county. Todd Area Trail Association is a park and playground in Browerville, Todd County whose mission is the promotion and maintenance of snowmobile trails in and around the county area. 

A historical park in Todd County - The Battle Point County Park

Battle Point County Park is located in southwestern Todd County along the eastern shore of Lake Osakis. The park is around 10 acres in size and forms a peninsula into Lake Osakis. According to the 1983 Todd County Park and Recreation Management Plan,  in the pre-settlement years, Sioux and Chippewa Indians occupied the area and many battles were fought between them. 

Visitors can walk the beautiful hiking trails to the lookout which overlooks Lake Osakis, enjoy playing at the park, fishing off the pier, having a picnic, or grill out. Battle Point Park has fun for everyone.

Why We Celebrate Parks & Recreation Month

As economic developers, we understand the vital role parks and recreation play in our community. They are essential for local residents to have a high quality of life, enjoy being here, and for new families looking for a place to live. Parks and recreation can also serve as economic drivers. When people visit our community to play at a park, participate in a tournament or use our recreation facilities, they often spend money locally on restaurants, gas, and even shopping. This benefits local businesses and creates jobs. 

Get Outside and Bring a Friend

We encourage you to get outside, explore, do something new and bring a friend along. Todd County has a lot to offer and our parks and recreation department does an excellent job at providing opportunities for community members to enjoy themselves. Still, not everyone takes advantage of these opportunities. Share this article and tell a friend about all of the great things there are to do in our community. The fun will never leave you when you are in Todd County!