Loring Park

Located in Eden Prairie, Va., Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation Department is part of the town s services. It provides a comprehensive park and recreation program, including sports facilities, festivals and special events. The department oversees the maintenance of public beaches, fishing piers, skating rinks, community gardens, tennis courts and baseball fields. The Parks and Natural Resources Division is responsible for providing and maintaining the comprehensive park and open space system, and it also provides various other services, including wildlife, forestry management and maintenance of the park and trail properties. The department also sponsors many special events, including picnics and planned events, such as sunbonnet days, Cummins House Christmas, Fourth of July and sweetheart dances.

Ask anybody in the Twin Cities what their favorite local lake is, and the majority of people will tell you Lake Calhoun. This uptown Minneapolis place-to-be has it all. Sail-boating, swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking, canoeing, walkers, bikers, runners, roller-skaters, dog-walkers, tanners -- it's all there.Parking and Public Transportation at Lake CalhounLake Calhoun has a few parking lots spread out around the 3 mile lake. Usually, lake-goers can find a free spot in one of those lots. During peak times, (ie: summer, weekends especially), you may have to find metered parking in the surrounding uptown area.Best and Worst Time to go to Lake CalhounThere is no wrong time to go to Lake Calhoun. Well, maybe when it's negative thirty degrees outside. Any time during the warmer months, there's usually a bustling crowd. On more chilly days, it's a quieter place where you can still go to relax.Admission to Lake CalhounLake Calhoun is completely free. No cost to swim, to walk the lake, etc. The only additional costs associated with visiting Lake Calhoun would be for renting kayaks, paddle boards, etc.Must See/Do at Lake CalhounSpend a day turning your visit of Lake Calhoun into a visit of both Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. The lakes are right next to each other and the walking paths even cross-over each other. What's better than one gorgeous Minneapolis lake? Two gorgeous Minneapolis lakes!Other Places to Visit Near Lake CalhounOne of the very unique things about Lake Calhoun is that it is right in the middle of uptown. You can spend the day walking around uptown and visiting the various stores, coffee shops or restaurants and then cool off at the lake just steps away.Insider Tips for Visitors to Lake CalhounRenting a kayak, canoe, paddle-board, etc. can get to be somewhat spendy at the lake. Before heading over, look online for special deals. There's often promotions or coupons available online that you can bring with you for your day in the sun.Author's bio: Jessica Vaysberg is a journalist and Twin Cities native who is always up for exploring the city and capturing her adventures in writing.