Big Ole Central Park — Attraction in Alexandria

I see Big Ole Central Park and Lake Agnes Park as parts of the same place – a great place. These parks a perfect for relaxing during your lunch break, or bringing the whole family. If you have kids, be sure to search out what I call the xylophone park. It's the only one of its kind that I've encountered. I think it's cool for adults, too. It's a pleasure for all ages. Nobody of any age should list it as a "guilty pleasure". If you do, you'll get the stink-eye from me, followed by a lot of shade.

In addition to everything you'll find offered by the park and Lake Agnes, you can kickoff a bike ride along the Central Lakes Trail to go as far east or west as you care to peddle and return before or after nightfall. This wide, 55-mile paved trail is a former Burlington Northern RR grade so it's mostly flat with brief climbs. It's popular among snomobilers and x-country skiers (best with back-country skis) in the winter. It terminates to the east in Osakis, and in Fergus Falls to the west.

You'll find pockets of single-track trails along this corridor. I like the ones in Lake...

Right on the Central Lakes Trail and across the street from Copper Trail Brewing, The Depot, and The Runestone Museum. A paved trail also connects to City Park that runs alongside the east shore of Lake Agnes. Farmer's Market every Tuesday, Thursday and, Saturday Spring through Autumn. Recently built public restrooms are generally clean and 100x better than the porta potties that used to be...

Big Ole hops on Saturday mornings with a buzz of activity from the farmer's market and now there's artists and music and kids activities to add to the mix. This morning was a delightful meet and greet, listen, learn, chat, enjoy and with kettle corn, fresh baked goods and plenty of produce you can't go wrong or hungry at a stop at Big Ole...