The small city of Redwood Falls is in the scenic heart of the woodlands of southern Minnesota. Near several rivers and a cluster of majestic waterfalls for which it gets its namesake, Redwood Falls has numerous outdoor leisure and recreation opportunities all year long. Through its carefully maintained parks, the city offers more than four dozen specialized programs to meet the fitness needs of visitors and locals of all ages, skills, fitness and health interests.
Purpose and Vision
Redwood Falls has cultivated a comprehensive vision of fitness, wellness and healthful living for its residents, and its parks are an integral part of that vision. Through these proactive efforts and programs, the city hopes to foster a greater sense of community morale, improve the quality of life for all its residents and boost local pride. Program leaders reach out to all residents and encourage them to participate in the many fitness and wellness programs offered throughout the parks.
For Kids
Redwood Falls parks offers a number of programs for children specially tailored to the area's climate and natural assets. Several parks offer group and individual private lessons for kids who want to learn to ice skate--these programs accept children of all ages and skill levels. Many parks participate in the Redwood Falls Youth Dodgeball League and Youth Baseball Association, both of which are designed for boys and girls in grades six to 10. A positive feature of the park system is the Little Critter's Club, aimed at kids under the age 6 to receive unstructured weekly family-centered physical activity in a gym and basketball court. Additionally, private and group lessons are available for children at the Disc Golf Course, located at the scenic Redwood Valley Athletic Complex.
For Adults
The Redwood Area Community Recreation Center has close ties to several regional athletic associations, making its programs and tracks available for all local resident participants. Co-Rec Softball and Kickball are two popular athletic programs for local adults; residents can also join the local baseball, hockey and volleyball associations. For less structured, and more informal fitness opportunities, the Rec Center also provides fitness classes, such as yoga, aerobics and cardiovascular regimes, on a rolling basis year round. The Redwood Falls Disc Golf Course has several championship-style courses, each with 18 holes--there are certified private instructors for novices and seasoned pros alike.
For Seniors
Redwood Falls has made a concerted effort to include senior citizen residents in its park wellness and fitness efforts. The Ehlers Intergenerational Center has outreach fitness programs for seniors, and many of the fitness programs provided at the Redwood Area Community Center can be tailored for older visitors. Low-impact aerobics and yoga tailored for arthritis sufferers are just two approaches to senior inclusion.
Camping and Hiking
There is no shortage of leisure and fitness recreation for the outdoor enthusiast in Redwood Falls parks. Many of the local park grounds take advantage of the abundant waterfalls in the area and design hiking and fishing trails around the striking scenery. Alexander Ramsey Park is home to the spectacular Ramsey Falls, and provides more than four miles of picturesque hiking trails available through all four seasons. Ramsey Park also has an area for trout fishing, a biking trail and even a fully-stocked zoo. For the real adventurer among its visitors, Ramsey Park provides a small, accessible area for tent camping.
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