A park for all seasons

Yes, the swimming beach is under a couple of feet of snow, the lifeguard’s chair is vacant, but the Firemen’s Park and Veterans Park in Chaska Minn. has plenty of activity on a sunny winter’s day.

Situated off State Hwy. 41 near the downtown district, the two parks sandwich Lake Fireman which is surrounded by a boardwalk walking path. The lake has a swimming beach and fishing pier and provides a tranquil backdrop for both parks.

The Veterans Park pays tribute to U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and MIAs. Each branch of the service is represented with flags and a separate station. The Chaska VFW sits right across the street.

An unusual park feature is tucked away in the northeast corner: an archery range complete with an observation deck.

The boardwalk takes a winding path south across the lake to the Firemen’s Park. A bronze sculpture of a firefighter holding a little girl’s hand adorns the park along with stations honoring each decade of the Chaska Fire Department’s history.

Firemen’s Park has the standard features of playground equipment, picnic area and walking trails. Both the playground and trails were in heavy use on this beautiful day. But there is one building adjacent to the park which is even busier.

The Chaska Curling Club has six rinks which were being prepared for afternoon play. There is a bar and restaurant with floor to ceiling windows giving patrons a ring-side seat to all of the action.

Chaska Parks and Recreation conducts monthly classes for those interested in learning to curl. For spectators, the Curling Center is hosting the Brick City Open Bonspiel March 10-12. More information on these parks and other offerings from the Parks and Recreation Department are available at www.chaskamn. gov/647/Parks-Recreation or follow them on Facebook @chaskaparksandrec. v

Daily Seminar Schedule

Thursday, March 16th

10:00am to 11:30am Farm Business Succession Planning

Leah R. Gilbert Gilbert Legal PLLC

Sponsored by Linder Farm Network

1:00pm to 4:00pm Commercial Animal Waste Technician (CAWT) Recertification

The U of M Extension is putting on this recertification training which will cover; licensing, rules, regulations, action required due to a spill or discharge, runoff advisory forecast, characteristics of manure, and safety.

Friday, March 17th

10:00 am to 11:30am

Taming the Wild West of Carbon Markets

Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU), in partnership with Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), released a Farmers’ Guide to Carbon Markets in Minnesota earlier this year. With one fifth of the world’s largest companies setting net-zero emissions targets, farmers are being asked to make changes to their operations that sequester carbon and sell companies credit for that sequestered carbon. These relations between farmers, large companies and often third-party vendors are defined by contracts. Attend this panel to learn about potential opportunities and obstacles for your farm in the carbon market. Sponsored by Linder Farm Network

1:00pm to 4:00pm Adjusting N Management to Climate

This U of MN Extension training looks at the effectiveness and advantages of various nitrogen (N) management practices with regard to average climate conditions including soil temperature, soil moisture status, precipitation, and evapotranspiration. The implications of deviation from average are discussed with respect to adjusting N management practices based on condition.

Saturday, March 18th

8:30am to 10:30am Southern Mn Irrigators Association Annual Meeting

11:00am to 1:00pm Let’s Talk Cover Crops with The People Doing It

TJ Kartes invites you to join him and Andy Linder to review cover crop economics, direct marketing, and how to kill cover crops with other herbicide pro grams. Sponsored by Saddle Butte Ag booth # 618