SAVAGE SAVAGEPACER.COM NEXT!NEXT! SUMMER 2022 NEXT THING TO TRY HIDDEN GEM ALONG CREDIT RIVER NEXT BIG SPORT IS PICKLEBALL IT’S TAKING OFF IN SOUTHWEST METRO
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4 NEXT! | SUMMER 2022 | swnewsmedia.com Contents NEXT THING TO TRY 3 NEXT DEVELOPMENT 6 NEXT TRAIL TO TAKE 8 NEXT PLACE TO TAKE A PHOTO 9 NEXT UP IN CLASSROOMTHE 10 NEXT UP IN PICKLEBALL 16 NEXT BALLPARK TO VISIT 18 Summer 2022 on the cover Cover Photo by Laurie Hartmann Pickleball courts fill up fast in the early evening hours at Savage Community Park. Pickleball players, pictured from left: Tim Branson, Denise Zehnder, Dan Brettschneider (Savage recreation coordinator) and Mardi Brettschneider. General Manager: Laurie Hartmann \ Editor in Chief: Mark Olson \ Editor: Gregg Aamot Editorial Content: Lydia Christianson, Jacqueline Devine, Alyssa Huglen, Eric Kraushar, Brendan O’Brien, Tom Schardin, Christine Schuster, Mark Wasson Cover Design: Carrie Rood \ Advertising: Samuel Schmitt and Erin Troxel Published by Southwest News Media. Copyright 2022-2023. Printed in the USA. For additional information or to submit corrections, call 952-445-3333 or visit www.swnewsmedia.com. e 2022-2023 NEXT! NEXT ON YOUR COMMUTE 19 NEXT PARK TO CHECK OUT 20 NEXT PLACE TO BRING YOUR DOG 23
PHOTO BY CHRISTINE SCHUSTER
Park Hours: daily, 7 a.m.10 p.m. Address: 5000 132nd St., Savage
NEXT THING TO TRY
‘Hidden’ gem along Credit River
Hidden Valley Park in Savage is one of the city’s most prized destinations.
Visit Hidden Valley Park to enjoy new adventures at an old treasure
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PHOTO BY CHRISTINE SCHUSTER
InformationMore
Last year, with the help of a local youth robotics team, the park gained another attraction — an outdoor obstacle course. Then-eighth-grade students Kiera Gadberry, Nikhil Kandi, Quincy Vicaire and Vineel Kandi with The Ultra Lego Creators oversaw the design and installation of the course, which is aimed at promoting balance, strength and problemsolvingFollowingskills.
BY CHRISTINE SCHUSTER
Secluded trails along the banks of the Credit River and picturesque walking bridges are among the beloved features of Hidden Valley Park, one of Savage’s most prized destinations.
the twists and turns of the trail, hikers will find a new obstacle to try around every corner. A ridethe-plank seesaw, a “dancing with logs” balance course and a climbing net to name a few. Hidden Valley visitors looking to try something new also find themselves in an ideal habitat for birding. While the park is relatively small, its abundant natural resources draw many unique avian visitors for park-goers to enjoy year-round. In the colder months, the rattling call of the Belted Kingfisher can be heard as the conspicuous bird is drawn to Savage’s open waters in the winter.TheCredit River, which typically runs unfrozen, creates opportunity for these elusive streambank-nesters, which are related to Australia’s kookaburras.Cedar waxwings, a nomadic bird that travels in flocks, also occasionally visit Hidden Valley to enjoy a supply of winter berries.These less common visitors create exciting opportunities for birders among the park’s usual residents of woodpeckers, songbirds and ducks. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your agility on the obstacle course or become a seasoned birder on the trails, there’s new skills for everyone to learn at Hidden Valley Park. As the name implies, it’s one of the community’s ‘Hidden’ gems.
A balance beam obstacle on the obstacle course nestled into Hidden Valley Park in Savage. The obstacle course opened last year.
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SUBMITTED PHOTO
The Savage City Council has approve development plans for MN MASH to build a baseball training complex and two outdoor ballfields on a 13-acre property located to the west of Savage’s city campus.
BY TOM SCHARDIN
The city of Savage will soon be joining the boom of club baseball. The City Council gave final approval to a 68,000-square-foot indoor training complex and two artificial turf outdoor fields on a 13-acre property located to the west of Savage’s city campus, bordering the Savage Fen Scientific and Natural Area earlier this year. The club currently runs its activities from a facility in Eagan, which the Savage complex is set to replace. Ground breaking is expected to begin at some point in the fall with completion in 2023 at the earliest. Operations at the facility are set to include baseball programs for youth, collegiate and professional athletes and a host of other development opportunities for players. Physical therapy, chiropractic and strength training services are also proposed to be offered. “This is our dream,” Tom Buske, MN MASH’s chief executive officer, told the Savage Planning Commission during a public hearing last fall. There are not a lot of fullsized fields in Savage, and many are used by recreation softball leagues. The Savage Outlaws, a now-defunct amateur baseball team, played many of its home games at Alimanget Fields in Burnsville. The Outlaws did play some games in Pacer Field at Warren Butler Park, but no night games because there are no lights. That field is used by the Burnsville Athletic Club and Prior Lake Athletics for Youth for eighth- and ninth-grade levels. In 2013, the field underwent more than $50,000 worth of improvements, including turf renovation and irrigation installation.Savagewill be joining some other south metro baseball clubs with its own facility, including NorthStar at The Cages, Starters Sports Training and Minnesota Nice, all in Burnsville, HTP Academy in Apple Valley, Nevers/Larkin in Edina, Pitch 2 Pitch in Chaska (and Rogers) and Pine Tar Academy in Minnetonka. The MN MASH facility did meet some opposition, mostly from nearby property owners. The concerns were potential increased traffic and noise and the impact on a wetland community immediately north of the property. “This project borders the Savage Fen Scientific and Natural Area, an extremely rare and sensitive natural resource that is home to many state-listed species,” Melissa Collins, a regional environmental assessment ecologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, wrote in an email to city staff. The fen is home to one of the rarest native plant communities in the state, according to the DNR.
MN Mash has been offering services as a private baseball club since 2012.
Club baseball facilit y coming to SavageClub baseball facility coming to Savage MN MASH to outdoorcomplexindoor68,000-square-footbuildtrainingwithtwoturf
fields PHOTO
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BY TOM SCHARDIN
The terrain of MurphyHanrehan Park Reserve is known for posing a unique challenge to bicyclists.Mountain bikers are often seen on the over 10 miles of narrow, dirt trails that can be difficult to navigate by foot. The trails are maintained by trail volunteers with the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists organization. There are also walking trails, where woodland flowers can be seen. The reserve’s pond-dotted forest is a spot for spring ephemerals. Three Rivers Park District puts out about 200 pounds of wildflower seeds every year throughout its parks. Murphy-Hanrehan, which is located in the northeast part of Scott County, remains undeveloped for the most part. That also makes is appealing forThebirdwatchers.parkreserve has also been designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. There’s a bird loop that’s lined with trees that attract warblers. That loop is open seasonally and closed from August to November to avoid disrupting the bird’s migratory patterns. For the most part, from summer to fall, bike riders can take on the challenging single-track trails at Murphy-Hanrehan. The loose rock and sand ridges make it a more nature-friendly ride. Many new trails in the metro have been been made by machines, which can strip the ground of its natural features. The dirt trails that weave through Murphy-Hanrehan are about a foot wide. A wider trail can mean more erosion, which is also not always good for the environment.MikeBinkowski, a former Prior Lake mountain bike team coach, is an avid biker and he said Murphy-Hanrehan is a popular spot and one of his favorites.“I love this trail for a number of reasons, first of which is that it’s so close that I can ride to and from the trailhead,” Binkowski said. “It’s only a mile from my house. The trail itself is a fun, twisty single track ride through a 10-mile trail, all loops, and it’s got a little bit of climbing, a few bridges and other features to keep things interesting. “The bird loop is another favorite section, even though it’s only open for part of the year,” Binkowski added. There are plenty of signature spots at Murphy-Hanrehan, including a 45-foot narrow bridge that has five drops that are spaced about nine feet apart. Riders also need to watch out for poison ivy, prickly ash and wild parsnip that grow in theTherearea. are built-in safety features called qualifiers. They help riders distinguish between the more advanced trails and the beginner ones.
Trails at Murphy-Hanreham Park Reserve have much to offer
Bikers can ride the single-track trails at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage year-round.
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ParkHanrehanMurphy-Reserve Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Address: 15501 Murphy Lake Road, Savage, Minnesota 55378 Phone: 763-694-777 Website: hanrehan-park-reserveorg/location/murphy-threeriversparks.
Qualifiers are like obstacles that bikers need to cross to access advanced trails. It forces them to slow down to connect to more difficult terrain.
FILE PHOTO
Three Rivers Park District has also had plenty of biking competitions at Murphy-Hanrehan over the years, including the Nocturnal Mountain Bike Race Series that runs in October when they weather is starting to turn cooler.
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A visitor and his dog walk over Credit River in Savage’s Hidden Valley Park following a snowfall.
FILE PHOTOS
NEXT PLACE TO TAKE A PHOTO
HIDDEN VALLEY PARK
Elliott Erwitt, a renowned FrenchAmerican photographer once said: “To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you seeInteresting,them.” as well as ordinary, places are all around the city of Savage — the historic Savage Depot, the Environmental Learning Center at McColl Pond, the natural settings at Hidden Valley Park, or smells and sites at Savage Farmers Market. It just takes a creative eye and a little patience to capture moments in time, whether it’s for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or the more old-fashioned way, a Hereportfolio.areafew of our city’s picturesque sites. Do you have a suggestion? Contact editor@ savagepacer.com.
FARMERS MARKET
There are about 10 acres of native prairie, rain and butterfly gardens and mature trees at the McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center. It’s also a popular spot for weddings, graduation and anniversary parties and holiday gatherings — perfect opportunities forThephotos.ELC was designed for sustainability. It’s powered by solar and geothermal energy. It has a vegetated rooftop that collects storm water. Walls are made from wheat products, countertops from recycled plastics and cabinets from sunflower seeds.
BY TOM SCHARDIN
Hidden Valley Park, located at 132 Street West, is a hidden gem. Tucked into surrounding nature, it has an ample play area, a spot to shoot archery, a baseball diamond and plenty of trails with the Credit River running through it. In 2021, with the help of some middle school students and Ultra Lego Creators, an outdoor obstacle course was built, which was aimed at promoting balance, strength and problemsolvingPark-goersskills. will find a ridethe-plank seesaw, a dancing with logs balance course and a climbing net, among other things.
SAVAGE DEPOT
The historic Savage Depot, located at 4800 West 123rd Street. It’s now leased to local business that makes Mexican-Thai fusion food, including tacos, burritos and quesadillas. The McColl Pond Environmental Learning Center at Community Park in Savage often has thriving and blooming irises, among other flowers and rain gardens, all summer long.
4 good photo spots in Savage
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From natural to historical sites, There’s ample photo opportunities
Vegetables, fruits, meats, honey and plenty of beautiful cut flowers can be found at the Savage Farmers Market. Located off Highway 13 near the Historic Train Depot, the market opens in June and runs through October. It’s operated by the St. Paul Growers’ Association and allows only fresh, 100 percent locally grown produce to be sold directly from the grower to the consumer.
In 1923, famous aviator Charles Lindbergh made an emergency landing in a swampy area in Savage after experiencing engine failure. While waiting for repairs to be made to his aircraft, he stayed in town at the Savage Depot.The historical landmark is located at 4800 West 123rd Street. It’s gone through some changes and is now leased to local restaurant that makes Mexican-Thai fusion food.
MCCOLL POND
Students at Eagle Ridge Middle School in Savage start their morning in advisory class taking part in the social and emotional learning curriculum.
PHOTO
SEL curriculum at Eagle Ridge helps students adjust after pandemic COURTESY OF DISTRICT 191
Learning about bullying behavior is part of the social and emotional learning curriculum at Eagle Ridge Middle School in Savage.
NEXT UP IN THE CLASSROOM
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Teaching social and emotional skills
BY TOM SCHARDIN
At Eagle Ridge Middle School, students start their day with the focus of finding success in school and in life. Each week throughout the school year, advisory classes cover multiple different topics to help students better navigate the teenage years. It’s all part of the school’s Social and Emotional Learning curriculum. Part of the adoption of SEL was to help students transition from distance learning to back into the classroom. The COVID-19 pandemic affected students in many different ways, so in advisory classes, topics such as goal-setting, adolescent brain development, showing empathy, and building community and relationships are discussed, among other things.Eagle Ridge Principal Bill Heim said the program has been a success. It’s also asthroughSELofingtheandalsokeepscholarsations,inyear,middleSchoolBurnsville-Eagan-SavageinDistrict191’sotherschool,Nicollet.“Throughouttheschoolwehavebeenrelentlessteachingstudentsexpecta-especiallycomingoutofpandemic,”Heimsaid.“Ourneedrepetitionstotheirskillsstrong.Weknewbuildingcommunitygivingstudentsavoiceinschoolwouldmattercom-outofatoughfewyears.”AccordingtotheUniversityMinnesotaExtension,thecurriculumistheprocesswhichchildrenaswelladults:
Understand and manage emotions. Set and achieve positive goals. Feel and show empathy for others. Establish and maintain positive relationships. Make responsible decisions.Inthe end, the hope is SEL helps students identify and deal with emotions, gain perspective and build relationships, make good choices and deal with potential conflict. In Eagle Ridge science teacher Patricia Mosey’s advisory class, one of the topics was recognizing bullying. There’s also scripted dialogue to help students self-reflect, share with a classmate or the entire class. Some students are able to share with their peers, while others were more comfortable tracking their thoughts or feelings in their own document. Advisory teachers monitor each student’s progress, such as tracking school work, goal setting and what they are doing to meet goals. The teachers become another part of the student’s support system. Heim believes building positive relations make students more self-aware, especially with their emotions. SEL also helps students connect with one another as well as check on their own and their peers’ well-being.It’spart of building that sense of community, which can be tough for teenagers, especially with the isolation some may have endured during the pandemic.“Middle school can be tough,” Heim said. “We acknowledge this, and have been very intentional about the social-emotional learning of our kids.”
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PLHS workprofessionalteachesprogramstudentsskills
BY JACQUELINE DEVINE In this day and age, students are learning outside the classroom and using their skills in real-world work environments.AtPriorLake High School, through the Minnesota Center for Advanced Professional Studies, students will put their construction skills to work as part of the program’s new trades pathway, which will launch next year.MNCAPS is a professionbased immersion program, offering an innovative approach for learning through education, industry and community in profession-based learning experiences.Through participating in the program’s pathways, 11th- and 12th-graders have the opportunity to earn both high school and college credits to prepare them for the workforce. The program, which began at the high school in 2016, has built impactful relationships with companies and organizations that are willing to offer opportunities for eager students ready to work after graduation. Through the new trades pathway, students interested in the construction industry have an opportunity to take part in hands-on learning. MNCAPS students will be able to take advantage of Prior Lake High School’s expanded Industrial Technology wing, which offers learning experiences to prepare them for a profession in the trades.The trades pathway is enhanced through guest instruction, in which industry leaders will mentor students and offer on-site experiential learning. The pathway will culminate with a large-scale construction project.Students in the trades pathway will acquire high school credits, as well as college credits earned from Dakota County Technical College, allowing them a seamless transition to the Construction Management program at DCTC after high school. Erik Sill, MNCAPS coordinator, said it is absolutely essential that students learn valuable skills that will help them to be successful when they enter the workforce.“Right now we are living in the innovation era. We constantly hear people say we’re preparing our kids for jobs that don’t exist. We need to create an environment where those professional skills become the priority, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, being able to research topics at a high level and communication,” said Sill. “Those are all skills that are absolutely essential in basically every place of employment. If we’re really going to prepare our students for whatever is next for them, we have to provide an environment for them to get practice at doing some of these things. I think our environment are living in the innovation era’
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The MNCAPS program at Prior Lake High School is taught at a business center at 17685 Juniper Path Suite 205 in Lakeville.The program leases office space in Lakeville and shares an office building with five other businesses, according to Sill. “The kids really feel like they’re coming to work versus just going to school for the day,” he said.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MNCAPS students from Prior Lake High School and Farmington High School learn physical therapy skills at Training HAUS, which serves professional athletes and athletes of all ages with customized training.
NEXT UP IN THE CLASSROOM
swnewsmedia.com | SUMMER 2022 | NEXT! 15 is so important for kids as they sort of transition. We have to give kids the chance to pursue their interest while they’re still in high school,” Sill said.
Healthcare
Sill said all business-related pathways require students to work on 8 to 10 projects that are sponsored by companies that often lead to future job offers. “We work with all different types of clients, from Fortune 500 companies, local nonprofits, local entrepreneurs and even professional sports teams,” Sill said. “We work with a wide variety of companies and organizations and those are experiences that students can put on their resume, which makes them a higher candidate because they now have experience in those fields.”Sill added that one of the benefits of the program is that students get to learn from a professional mentor one-onone.“Students are matched up with someone from the industry, and the whole goal is to teach them how to communicate with someone from a different generational group,” he said. “They also learn to develop a professional relationship and networking.”Sillalsosaid the MNCAPS program is part of a bigger network of programs from schools all over the world. “We’re part of the Caps Network,” he said. “There’s now programs in India, Canada, and obviously the U.S. There are now 80 programs.”
MNCAPS students work with real business partners in a professional setting MNCAPS healthcare students finish the pathway prepared for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam. 97% of MNCAPS students were likely to recommend the program to a friend MNCAPS students can earn college credits while working a professional Moresettinginfo at schools/plhs/mncapssavage.k12.mn.us/our-www.priorlake-
Pickleball is offered in the community of Savage at Savage Community Park, 13550 Dakota Ave. Dan Brettschneider, recreation coordinator for the city of Savage, is an avid pickleball player and said he would like to see more young people join in the future and predicts there will be a pickleball club at the high school in the next five“Iyears.would say I’ve been playing since 2018, so about four years. My friend and I were playing tennis and we just thought for lack of better terms, it was a lot of running for us,” laughed Brettschneider. “It’s really exploded in the last year and a half. It’s a neat sport that’s really taking off and I hope to see more younger kids playing.”Brettschneider said that he didn’t fall in love with the sport right away but it later grew on him because of how welcoming the atmosphere was. “When we got into it we didn’t give it too much of a chance but we played for the first time and really enjoyed it. It’s really social and it’s really different than any other sport. Everyone is pretty welcoming regardless of your ability,” he said.
BY JACQUELINE DEVINE
PHOTO COURTESY OF PRIOR LAKE PICKLEBALL CLUB
For more information about pickleball in Savage, including tournaments, visit cityofsavage.com.
PICKLEBALL POPULARITY SOARS in southern Twin Cities Metro
PICKLEBALL IN SAVAGE
16 NEXT! | SUMMER 2022 | swnewsmedia.com NEXT UP IN PICKLEBALL
In Prior Lake, residents can enjoy the sport at the eight pickleball court complex located at 15651 Skuya Dr. N.W. in Spring Lake Regional Park. Residents may also join the Prior Lake Pickleball Club. The Prior Lake Pickleball Club offers members with open play, lessons, tournaments and several social activities. The club currently has 250 members and counting, according to club Paulofficials.Burck,treasurer of the
Prior Lake Pickleball Club members play pickleball at Spring Lake Regional Park.
PRIOR PICKLEBALLLAKECLUB
There’s a sport that’s exploding in the southwest metro. If you haven’t heard about pickleball by now, it won’t be long before a friend recruits you to play a game. Enthusiasts say the sport is popular for its fun, social and friendly nature. Plus the fact that it’s good exercise doesn’t hurtPickleballeither. is a racket or paddle sport that was created by combining elements of several other racket sports. Two or four players use solid paddles to hit a perforated polymer ball over a net. The ball is much like a wiffleball.Apickleball court is similar to badminton, with a net similar to tennis, and the paddles are similar to those in table tennis.According to the official pickleball website, pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads — Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited for creating the Pickleballgame.hasevolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the U.S. and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts. Over the years, the sport spread like wildfire and became popular in community centers, public parks, YMCA facilities, retirement homes and the southern Twin Cities metro where it’s home to several pickleball courts and clubs.
There will be a Prior Lake Pickleball Club Tournament on Sept. 17. For more information on how to join the Prior Lake Pickleball Club and register for the tournaments, visit https:// plpclub.org.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PRIOR LAKE PICKLEBALL CLUB
Prior Lake Pickleball Club members play a game of pickleball at Spring Lake Regional Park. Prior Lake Pickleball Club, said he started playing the beloved sport about six years ago and has been hooked ever since.“My wife and I began playing inside about six years ago at a health club to which we belong when they began offering it as an activity. We are cold weather health club people and usually have other things we do in warm weather,” said Burck. “I’d heard of pickleball, but really didn’t know much about it. When my health club offered it, my wife and I thought, ‘Why not?,’ and so joined in. We quickly became addicted to this game. It is athletic, less so than tennis, and suits our mature adult bodies while being both challenging and fun.” Burck encourages anyone who is interested in the sport to check out the club.
swnewsmedia.com | SUMMER 2022 | NEXT! 17
“It’s not just for residents and it’s not a requirement to join the club to play. Most of our members are residents of Prior Lake, but many live in nearby cities or townships and we have a few members who live nearby only in the summer when they are visiting the area for the season,” said Burck. “There are many reasons to become a member of our club. These include social activities on and away from the courts for which only members receive invitations to picnics, parties, etc. Only members have access to a smartphone app that helps keep track of ‘who’s playing when’ so that we can know if it makes sense to head to the courts.” Burck added that club and community information is communicated to club members only on the email list. He said members learn about and often participate in community service projects that the club promotes, such as helping Prior Lake Rotary Club staff up for Music Fest services. Members may also vote on club issues and get involved in the club through service on the board of directors.“Someone interested in joining can talk with any member at the courts to learn more about our club. As soon as the weather cooperates better, a lot of people, including club members, will be on the courts morning through evenings,” said Burck. “I have made so many new friends through playing and being involved in club management. We appreciate everyone who comes to play and we look forward to welcoming new members to our growing club.”
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“The changes made by the late Mike Poppitz were instrumental in the improved playing field and surrounding environment at the facility,” Beckman said of Poppitz Field in Victoria. “The surface has been immensely improved in the last decade, and the wooden fence and scoreboard are on par with their competitorBeckmanfields.” likes how standing down the lines in right and left field puts you near the action. “It’s a great way to view a game at Poppitz,” he said.
Beckman said Athletic Park in Chaska consistently draws large crowns and it’s easy to see“Theywhy. put a good product on the field,” Beckman said. “They have a wonderful surface to play on, and the fans hover over the field down both foul lines and in the grandstand to create a lot of energy for players to play in front of.”
The finished concrete areas surround Veterans Field in Prior Lake. There’s quality seating down the right field line where spectators can watch the game from lawn chairs. “They typically have one of the more enthusiastic announcers at their games as well,” Beckman said.
River Valley League is home to some of the best venues
FILE PHOTO
STORM/RED BIRD STADIUM
Plenty of pristine, historic local ballparks
The Mini Met is home to the Jordan Brewers. The park is located near the train tracks that run through downtown Jordan, and if you’re there in the evening, you’ll hear the 6 o’clock train horn as it runs through town.
JOE SCHLEPER STADIUM
VETERANS FIELD
18 NEXT! | SUMMER 2022 | swnewsmedia.com
BY TOM SCHARDIN
As president of the River Valley League, Ron Beckman has seen many town ball games at a lot of different parks. There are 16 teams in the RVL, including the Chaska Cubs, the Chanhassen Red Birds, the Prior Lake Jays and Mudcats, the Jordan Brewers, Shakopee Indians and Coyotes and the Victoria Vics. And those teams’ facilities are all top-notch.TheMinnesota Baseball Association has 265 teams from Class A, B and C, so business seems to be booming, while the ballparks are bustling.
Beckman believes the grandstand at Storm/Red Bird Stadium in Chanhassen is one of the more impressive viewing areas
“The RVL is fortunate to have so many beautiful local ballparks that are all worth seeing a game at during the summer,” Beckman said. Jordan has the Mini Met, while Prior Lake is home to Veterans Field at Memorial Park and Shakopee plays at Joe SchleperChaskaStadium.hashistoric Athletic Park, while Chanhassen, winners of the last four Class B state titles, is home to Storm/ Red Bird Stadium and Victoria plays at Poppitz Field. Beckman said all six of these parks are unique in their own way. Here’s his take on each of them:
There’s the wooden grandstand that dates back multiple decades and actual dugouts that players step down into. Beckman loves the church steeple and clock in the distance over the right field fence, the manual scoreboard, the bluff of trees beyond the first base foul line and the train tracks that are parallel to the drive into the park. “The train looks to be riding on top of the left field fence from certain angles,” Beckman said. “This park is worth a visit whether your are a baseball fan or not.”
Beckman enjoys the many viewing experiences at Joe Schleper Stadium in Shakopee. including the decks down both foul lines and the deck near the backstop on the first base side that’s shielded by netting. Behind home plate is the large stadium seated grandstand.“They have a giant press box that has been home to some great announcing over the years by legendary announcer Dick Jonckowski and Bill Schleper,” Beckman said.
NEXT BALLPARK TO VISIT
MINI MET “Many ballparks are proud of their unique characteristics, as they should be,” Beckman said. “The Jordan baseball park just seems to have many of them.” Beckman said as you drive into the park along the left field fence, you can see the viewing area that fans enjoy. The field sits below “like a stage.”
ATHLETIC PARK
POPPITZ FIELD
“Thearound.grandstand is beautiful and gives an elevated view for fans to see the action,” he said. “They have spacious dugouts. There is almost a minor league feel to the grandstand that matches their extremely talented team.”
swnewsmedia.com
Scott County travelers are facing
BY MARK WASSON
Projects ramp up PHOTO BY MARK W. OLSON Cars travel along Highway 13 in Savage. The road is down to one lane in each direction for construction of an interchange.
ate better access to the city’s bustling shipping ports on the Minnesota River. The highway is one lane in either direction during the first phase of construction.“Wealways like to maintain the road,” said Kirsten Klein, MnDOT spokesperson. “Some of these projects, especially in Scott County, have some safety improvements.”Alsoduringthis time period, motorists should expect road closures and detours between Highway 19 and Highway 282 for a Highway 13 resurfacing project and the construction of left turn lanes and paved shoulders; as well as at Highway 13 and County Road 8 for the construction of a roundabout. Both of these projects will cost over $12 million total. Years of planning goes into many projects to figure out what needs to be done and what funding will be needed, KleinShouldersaid. and possible lane closures will take place August through October on Highway 169 and 166th Street in Sand Creek Township to extend a frontage road from Berkshire Lane to Bluff Drive and to construct an acceleration lane on Highway 169 to Bluff “SafetyDrive.isalways the No. 1 priority when you’re driving on the road at anytime because traffic conditions can change, whether it starts to rain and traffic slows down in front of you or if there’s construction on the road,” Klein said. “We want you to come as well as we want all of our construction people to be able to go home as well. So follow those signs, pay attention, make sure you don’t have other distractions in your car with you while you’re driving through those construction zones,” KleinForstated.upto date road conditions, travelers can check 511mn.org.
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Construction hits the road
NEXT ON YOUR COMMUTE
reducechangeDepartmentaccordingatconstructiononterchangebetweensummer.roadslow-downsmultipleduringimprovementsthisThebiggestdisruptionistheHighway101in-andQuentinAvenueHighway13inSavageasofaninterchangeDakotaAvenuetakesplace,totheMinnesotaofTransportation.At$33million,theinter-aimstoimprovesafety,congestionandcre-
BY ALYSSA HUGLEN Parks in Carver and Scott counties are putting together unique activities and camps for children and their families thisEventssummer.range from immersive, historical summer camps at The Landing in Minnesota River Heritage Park to family mud runs at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. Micah Ostergard, recreation and volunteer specialist for Carver County Parks, said putting on activities like these highlights recreational opportunities in an outdoor setting.“Ithink it’s important that we are supplying opportunities for people to outdoor recreation for their own health, to be connected to the world around us and not get insulated indoors all the time,” he said.
20 NEXT! | SUMMER 2022 | swnewsmedia.com
Serving up some outdoor fun Carver, Scott County parks running unique youth and family activities this summer xtream.com|1670LakeDriveWest,Chanhassen 1-844-XTREAM3 • Downloadspeedsfrom 100Mbpsupto1GIG* • 100%gigabit technologynetwork • 99.99%networkreliabilityˆ • Powerfulwhole-homeWiFi *Do yv esma egist orde NEXT PARK TO CHECK OUT
MUD RUN One standout event this summer is the Minnewashta Mud Run. The mud run takes place from 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, July 9 at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park, 6900 Hazeltine Boulevard in Chanhassen. Participants run on a 5.4-kilometer course, going around a 1.7-mile loop twice. The course includes obstacles like a “crazy maze,” limbo, waterslide and hay bales to climb. To keep the event fresh and exciting, Ostergard said the course has been rearranged a little bit with enhancements to existing obstacles.Thisis the ninth year of the Minnewashta Mud Run, once known as the Tonka Mud Run. The run was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic and brought back in 2021. While many mud runs tend to be tailored to adults, the Minnewashta Mud Run has made the event accessible to all. Children are welcome to participate in the run, and a quarter-mile mini-mud run takes place right before the full-length run for youngerAccordingkids. to Ostergard, this extra feature in the mud run is part of Carver County Park’s work in offering activities engaging for families and people of all ages. “We wanted to be able to have an activity that doesn’t separate the family … something the whole family can participate in,” he said. In recent years, Ostergard said the mud run has seen around 300-350 participants. This year, he is hoping for numbers to reach closer to 500 participants.Onabroader scale, he added that this event is just one of
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CARVER COUNTY PARKS
swnewsmedia.com | SUMMER 2022 | NEXT! 21 many that can appeal to residents wanting to get outside this summer and take advantage of the local parks and trails.“Our focus is on this outdoor recreation like canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, archery, fishing — things that are maybe less often offered by cities or school districts,” Ostergard said. “Carver County Parks is offering so much more than people realize … we’ve got something for everyone.”
This year’s Minnewashta Mud Run will be the ninth one at the regional park.
Murray said kids attending the BioBlitz day will participate in multiple activities that center around the environment of the Minnesota River and how it impacts the land. The schoolhouse also has historical ties in town, as the building once served as a oneroom school located in downtown Shakopee for St. John’s LutheranBeyondChurch.Builda Camp, The Landing has other programs and activities that can appeal to people of different ages and interests.
Murray said this includes learning about oldfashioned chores and taking adult-themed bike rides that teach guests about the making of bricks and beer in the Minnesota Valley. “We have some unique experiences talking about Scott County history … so there’s experiences for all the family — from the young ones all the way up,” he said.
THE LANDING In Scott County, The Landing in Minnesota River Heritage Park is putting on another year of its “Build a Camp” summer camp. The camp takes place on location at The Landing, 2187 County Road 101 in Shakopee.Builda Camp is a three-day camp that is put on in June, July and August. Families can choose for their children to attend one, two or all three days in their respective round of Build a Camp. This year’s camp consists of three themes: “BioBlitz,” “Oneroom Schoolhouse” and “Day on the BioBlitzFarm.”centers around teaching kids all about different plant and animal species living in their community. Oneroom Schoolhouse gives kids the experience of learning in a traditional schoolhouse and participating in lessons from around 150 years ago. Kids will get to use a slate board and participate in recess games and with toys dating back to the 19thThecentury.final day, Day on the Farm, allows kids to meet some farm animals, work in the gardens and try out traditional farmThreechores.Rivers Park District historic interpreter Mike Murray said the Build a Camp activities offer a unique, immersive experience for kids to learn about life in the 19th century.“It’sa lot more fun to learn about history or some of the aspects that we teach at our camps than having to read about it in a book,” he said. “It makes history more real, and you get a better connection with people in the past.” Build a Camp also heavily focuses on appreciating the history specific to Scott County.
“I think indoorsnotworldconnectedownrecreationpeopleopportunitiesweimportantit’sthataresupplyingfortooutdoorfortheirhealth,tobetothearoundusandgetinsulatedallthetime.”
Micah Ostergard Carver County Parks
The mud run has features that can appeal to family members of all ages.
NEXT PARK TO CHECK OUT
FOOD & DRINK American Legion / Chanhassen 290 Lake Dr. E., Chanhassen (952) www.alpost580-chanhassenmn.org934-6677
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Canterbury Park 1100 Canterbury Rd., Shakopee (952) www.canterburypark.com445-7223
HOME IMPROVEMENT/SERVICES
Lakeview Clinic / Chaska 110105 Pioneer Tr., Chaska (952) www.lakeviewclinic.com556-0120
16280 Duluth Ave. SE, Prior Lake (952) www.saintmpl.org447-2124
Friendship Church 12800 Marystown Road, Shakopee (952) www.friendshipmn.org447-8282
Michael King Orthodontics 2687 W. 78th St., Chanhassen (952) www.michaelkingortho.com470-2627
WORSHIP Friendship Church 17741 Fairlawn Ave., Prior Lake (952) www.friendshipmn.org447-8282
Parish Of Saints Joachim And Anne 2700 17th Ave. E., Shakopee (952) www.ssjacs.org445-1319
MEDICAL / DENTAL
Saint Michael Catholic Church 16400 Duluth Ave. SE, Prior Lake (952) www.stmichael-pl.org447-2491
Chaska Parks & Recreation 1661 Park Ridge Dr., Chaska (952) www.chaskamn.com448-5633
REAL ESTATE Edina Realty / Chanhassen 2655 W. 78th St., Chanhassen (952) www.edinarealty.com/office/chanhassen934-5000
D Fongs Chinese Cuisine 4321 Egan Dr., Savage (952) www.dfongs.com894-0800
Premiere Dance Academy 4616 Colorado St. SE, Prior Lake (952) www.premieredanceacademy.com447-5788
Anchor Iron Company 12358 Boone Ave., Savage (952) www.anchoriron.com445-3030 Haferman Water 12142 12th Ave. S., Burnsville www.hafermanwater.com952-213-2155 Mandinec Group Landscaping, Inc Prior Lake (952) www.mandinecgroup.com226-1813 Mediacom Communications 1670 Lake Dr. W., Chanhassen (855) www.mediacomcable.com633-4226
Edina Realty/Prior Lake - Savage 14198 Commerce Ave. NE, Prior Lake (952) www.edinarealty.com/office/prior-lakesavage447-4700
RETAIL Cal’s Market & Garden Center 6403 Egan Dr., Savage (952) www.calsmarket.com447-5215
Edina Realty / Shakopee 4121 Dean Lake Blvd., Shakopee (952) www.edinarealty.com/office/shakopee445-6400
Insurance Brokers / Jordan 223 First St. E., #100, Jordan (952) www.ibjordan.com492-2300
INSURANCE / FINANCIAL Haugen Insurance & Financial Solutions 14093 Commerce Ave. NE, Prior Lake (952) www.haugensolutions.com440-8200
Shakopee Public Schools 917 Dakota St. S., Shakopee (952) www.shakopee.k12.mn.us496-5862
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
PERSONAL SERVICES CBeauty Salon 16154 Main Ave. SE, Prior Lake (952) www.cbeautyalon.com440-1010
Morgan Family Dental 16670 Franklin Trail SE, Prior Lake (952) www.mypriorlakedentist.com447-4611
Edina Realty / Chad & Sara Huebener 14198 Commerce Ave. NE, Prior Lake (952) huebener-realtorwww.edinarealty.com/chad-and-sara-212-3597
Saint Michael Catholic School
ENTERTAINMENT
SCHOOLS / EDUCATION
Lunds & Byerlys / Prior Lake 16731 State Hwy. 13, Prior Lake (952) www.lundsandbyerlys.com440-3900
Roundup of local dog parks to check out with your pooch FILE PHOTO Dogs socialize at the Cleary Lake Dog Park in Prior Lake.
SCOTT COUNTY Cleary Lake Dog Park at 19011 Highview Ct., Prior Lake is a 28-acre off-leash area located at Cleary Lake Regional Park. The dog-friendly area is fenced in and has a wetland pond that dogs are sure to love. Make sure to bring a towel along.
FILE PHOTO BY MARK W. OLSON Nugget greets a visitor at Chaska’s dog park.
Lake Minnewashta Regional Park Off-Leash Area at 6900 Hazeltine Blvd., Chanhassen is a beautiful sanctuary for dogs and their owners alike. The park has nearly a mile of walking trails, a fenced pond, two open spaces for dogs to play, a water fountain for people and pets and a separate area for small dogs under 25 pounds. The park is a great place to take your dog on a hot summer day since it is well shaded by a forest of tall trees. Carver Park Reserve OffLeash Dog Park at 7200 Park Dr., Victoria is a great place for dogs to run, play and meet new furry friends. The park is 27 acres, which is more than enough room for dogs to explore and get out their energy. The area is fenced in and also includes a separate play space for small or frail dogs.
Doggone good parks in theDoggone park s in the SOUTHWEST METRO
BY LYDIA CHRISTIANSON O n a beautiful summer day, nothing beats playing fetch with your furry friend at a dog park. Luckily, the southwest metro area is home to a vast array of dog parks to visit. The following are a roundup of dog parks to try this summer.
NEXT PLACE TO BRING YOUR DOG
Southbridge Community Dog Park at 7101 Southbridge Parkway, Shakopee is a park for dogs big and small. The off-leash park has a 10-acre allbreed park area and a half-acre area for small dogs only. The small dog area is limited to dogs that weigh no more than 25 pounds and are no taller than 13 inches at the shoulder.
It also includes trails and a water station. Sand Creek Dog Park at 103 Sawmill Rd., Jordan is a one and a half acre haven for dogs to play and socialize. The area is fenced in and includes two doggie bag dispensers. A trail under Highway 21 links Sand Creek Dog Park to Hillside Drive and leads to Lagoon Park. Savage Dog Park at 12425 Xenwood Ave., Savage is a space with over two acres of fenced open space for dogs and their owners to roam free. The dog park has trees for shade and benches to sit at after a long day of playing fetch.
CARVER COUNTY Lions Park Off-Leash Dog Area at 1300 Crosstown Blvd, Chaska is a fenced-in space for dogs to play and explore. It is approximately a one-third acre park, which includes a drinking and wash station.
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Murphy-Hanrehan Dog Off-Leash Area at 15501 Murphy Lake Blvd, Savage is a three-acre area for dogs to run off-leash at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve. The exercise and socialization a dog gets during off-leash play time helps maintain its mental and physical health, according to the Three Rivers Park District.
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