Leisure

Above — Kellen and Jake Johnson bundled up against the cold during the annual Wintercade fishing tournament on Lake Ripley.

Inset — Building sand castles on the beach at Memorial Park is just one of many recreational opportunities that center around Lake Ripley.

ALL ABOARD

Recreational opportunities on land and lake

Litchfi eld — the city “On Lake Ripley” as the water tower proclaims — lures residents and visitors to area lakes for fi shing, swimming and boating. Whether it’s paddleboarding or simply soaking up the sun, the beach is just one of several places available to residents to enjoy recreation activities. Newest to Lake Ripley is the addition of a splash pad for summer fun, open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during summer until fall.

In addition to active recreational opportunities, Litchfi eld has a bustling library, a revamped opera house that hosts plays and open mic nights, and the only authentic Grand Army of the Republic Hall still standing in Minnesota. The G.A.R. Hall, built in 1885, is listed on the National Register of Historical Places and has been preserved as near as possible to its original condition and now houses the Meeker County Historical Society.

Residents can also take part in numerous organizations, including many civic groups, lake associations and athletic organizations.