Leisure

Above — Brady McGraw sits among the hundreds of others working their lines in pursuit of a prize winning fi sh during the Wintercade ice fi shing contest Saturday on Lake Ripley.

Inset — Anglers line the dock on the west side of 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, Litchfield has a bustling library, a revamped opera house that hosts plays and live music events, 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.

Bottom — Anglers stand at attention and cover their hearts during the singing of the National Anthem before the start of the Wintercade ice fi shing contest in February on Lake Ripley.