Editorial: Get out and appreciate parks

We recently followed up on a rumor that one of the state parks in the region was in danger of closing. Turns out, as is often the case with such rumors, there was no validity to the gossip.

But it reminded us, in this era of budget cuts and economic uncertainty, how fortunate we are to have several such natural resources in such close vicinity. Last year, in fact, all of the Minnesota state parks did close for a short period of time due to the state government shutdown.

In southwest Minnesota, we can boast of four close-by state parks: Blue Mounds in Luverne; Split Rock Creek in Ihlen; Lake Shetek in Currie; and Kilen Woods, near Lakefield.

Each venue has its own ecosystem and attractions. At Blue Mounds, there are 15 miles of hiking trails through unique quartzite rock formations and abundant wildflowers. Lake Shetek and Split Rock Creeks both feature lakes for water sport enthusiasts. At Kilen Woods, visitors can climb to the top of Dinosaur Ridge and get an overview of the Des Moines River.

And, of course, each state park offers camping facilities, giving us all a place to get away and experience nature for more than a few hours.

Our state parks are a valuable asset to this region. If you haven’t done so recently, get out and experience what the state parks have to offer.

Tags: state parks, kilen woods, lake shetek, blue mounds, split rock creek, opinion