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Summer Sites of Interest

Disc Golf Courses

Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee® The sport was formalized in the 1970's, and shares with "ball golf" the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest number of throws). A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the "hole". the hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets; the most common is called a Pole Hole® an elevated metal basket. As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. Finally, the "putt" lands in the basket and the hole is completed. Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of traditional golf, whether it's sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the fairway. There are few differences, though. Disc golf rarely requires a greens fee, you probably won't need to rent a cart, and you never get stuck with a bad "tee time." It is designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, male and female, regardless of economic status.

Robbins Island

(open during park hours, park in main lot, 9-hole starts where one-way road begins)

Business Highway 71 North

Willmar, MN 56201

New London-Spicer High School

(south side by the water tower)

101 Fourth Avenue SW

New London, MN 56273

 

Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center

Come cool off from the summer heat at the Dorothy A. Olson Aquatic Center.  Our facility offers guests a number of entertainment options for people of all ages. There are two raging waterslides.  One slide is fully enclosed the entire way down and the other open with both emptying into an attached plunge pool.  For the younger guests we have interactive play features and a mini slide all surrounded by a zero depth entry play pool that gets 18 inches deep.  People who just want to have some fun in the water have a six-lane recreation pool to enjoy ranging from three to five feet deep.  Our two one-meter diving boards stand over a 10 feet deep diving well.  When it's time for a break swimmers have a choice between getting some sun in our chaise lounges, cooling off in the shade under our 20 foot funbrellas or getting a snack or light meal at our full-service concession stand.  Both season and day passes are available.

Zero depth pool with interactive toy features

  •  6 lane, 25 yard lap pool;
  •  2 one meter diving boards
  •  2 towering water slides
  •  Concession stand

Fun for all ages!

Admission:  Daily $4.00, Observers $2.00, After 5:30 p.m. $3.00; season passes also available.

Pool Hours:  Daily 12 noon to 7:00 p.m., weather permitting, first Saturday in June through late August.

 

1601 22nd Street SW

Willmar, MN 56201
(320) 214-0114

doac.pool@gmail.com

www.willmarcer.com/content/dorothy-olson-aquatic-center

 

Glacial Ridge Trail

This Minnesota Scenic Byway is a system of highways and county roads traversing Minnesota's most geologically significant areas formed by glaciers, which created our beautiful lake country. This well-signed Scenic Byway travels through the counties of Kandiyohi, Douglas, Pope and Swift. Road markers indicate natural history phenomena as well as sights relating to Native American and early European settlers.

Surface: Paved/some gravel. Detailed map available.

1-800-845-TRIP (8747)
Willmar, MN 56201

State Web Site

Trail Association's Web Site

 

Green Lake Bible Camp Chapel

Perched on a hill overlooking Green Lake is the Norwegian-style stave church. Originally constructed in 1940 and remodeled in the 1990s, the church replicates historic stave churches of Norway. The structure is a popular wedding chapel and sightseeing stop, possibly one of the most photographed buildings in the region.  A popular retreat center with fountains and gardens.

Services each Saturday 5:30 p.m. and Sundays 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day.

(320) 796-2181 ext. 221
9916 Lake Avenue South
Spicer, MN 56288

camp@gllm.org
www.gllm.org

 

J & L Bison Ranch

This hands-on tour is a very scenic view of rolling hills of the Solomon Lake area which includes wildlife such as geese, ducks, deer, coyotes, fox, etc. It lends itself to viewing a content and docile herd of the majestic buffalo that are so deeply ingrained in our American history. Visitors will learn the various tracts and why this animal is making a comeback to provide a health food for a future strong America. Learn to be "heart smart" while on a Home on the Range tour.

Open April 15-October 31.

To arrange for a tour, please call (320) 235-8465.
Admission fee
5650 41st Avenue NW
Willmar, MN 56201

E-mail: jarndt@wecnet.com
Web Site: www.jlbison.com

Little Crow Water Ski Team

Hold your breath as water skiing fireballs soar through water and air on the scenic Crow River. This team of more than 60 national water ski champions presents a spectacular performance every Friday evening during summer months at Neer Park in New London. Definitely put this on your priority list.

Handicapped parking available at Neer Park. Small admission fee.
Show Information Hotline (320) 354-5684

Neer Park, 311 Second Avenue NE
New London, MN 56273

littlecrowskiteam@yahoo.com
www.littlecrow.com

Memorial Room in the Willmar City Auditorium

This austere room is located in the Willmar City Auditorium, completed in 1937 as a Works In Progress Administration project. Engraved stones from each state line the walls, an effort initiated by the American Legion to honor Minnesota veterans. A painted mural depicting various conflicts and the ravages of war surrounds the room.

Open for viewing by contacting Willmar Community Education & Recreation.
The buiding is listed on the National Historical Records.

(320) 231-8490
333 Sixth Street SW
Willmar, MN 56201

Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES
Prairie Woods ELC is a beautiful 530-acre outdoor classroom offering hands-on experiences. In addition, there are great indoor spaces to host visitors or hold a meeting or retreat. We are located about 10 miles north of Willmar on the southeast shore of Lake Florida.

HANDS-ON LEARNING
Prairie Woods ELC offers programs for schools and other groups that include hands-on exploration of wetlands, woodlands, prairie and animal life.

CHALLENGE COURSE
The challenge course at Prairie Woods ELC served over 4,000 people in 2000. It includes a 40-foot climbing wall and other high events. Challenge and team building activities are available to all kinds of groups, including athletic teams, school programs business organizations, even birthdays and family reunions.

TRAILS, SKIING, BIRDS
With 6 miles of trail, Prairie Woods ELC offers hiking and birding.  Cross country and hiking trails are open during dayllight hours seven days/week.

If you are interested in a visit or wish to arrange a group program or discuss renting meeting space, please contact the Prairie Woods ELC.

Office hours:  8:00 am.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, weekends for scheduled programs.

12718 Tenth Street NE
Spicer, MN 56288

(320) 354-5894

pwelc@co.kandiyohi.mn.us

www.prairiewoodselc.org

 

Shores of St. Andrew Bible Camp and Marble Church

Available for use on weekends in June through mid-August, anytime during May and the end of August through September.  Marble Church was moved to its present site from rural Canby and is available for use April through October.  This is a great place for retreats and reunions.

(320) 796-2181 ext. 221 or (320) 354-2961 (location)

19080 16th Street NE

New London, MN 56273

camp@gllm.org
www.gllm.org

 

Skate Park

 

Skateparks first emerged in the 1970s and were primarily private, for-profit endeavors, although several public parks were built globally. Parks then included pools, bowls, snake runs, freestyle areas, banked slalom areas, half-pipes and full pipes. Most were concrete and were outdoors In more extreme climates parks were built indoors, often of wood.  The modern public skatepark is relatively new, made possible by legislation such as California's 1998 law stating that skateboarding is an inherently "Hazardous Recreational Activity" (HRA) and, therefore, municipalities and their employees may not be held liable for claims of negligence resulting in skateboarders' injuries. Parks are usually for persons 14 or over.

Grind Central Skate Park (open during daylight hours)

Washington Learning Center

325 Willmar Avenue SW

Willmar, MN 56201

 

Spicer Castle Murder Mystery

With lace curtains, antique furniture and the squeak of wood floors, the Spicer Castle on Green Lake is the perfect place to catch a murderer--and you are a suspect! Complete with a five-course dinner, the Spicer Castle hosts a hilarious murder mystery dinner each weekend, year-round.  Dinner cruises are offered during the summer months.  Overnight accommodations available at the Spicer Castle B & B.


(320) 796-5870 or (800) 821-6675
11600 Indian Beach Road
Spicer, MN 56288

spicercastle@spicercastle.com
www.spicercastle.com

Hay Rides

Meadowview Farm

Horse-drawn hay rides and sleigh rides.

Open October-April. Call for appointment.  Fee.

(320) 354-5045
15707 92nd Street
Spicer, MN 56288

Timberframe Ranch
Old fashioned horse-drawn hay rides or sleigh rides pulled by Percheron draft horses. Warming house available. Available for families and groups by appointment. 20 miles north of Willmar, 2 miles west off Highway 71 on County Road 34. Open year round. Fee.

(320) 254-3518
616 270th Avenue NW
New London, MN 56273

timberframe@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 
   
 

 

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