Get Out and Enjoy These 5 Top Rochester, Minnesota Parks

Summer is here, and with the great weather, it's the perfect time to get outside and explore some of the best parks in the Rochester area. Here a few that are definitely worth a visit:

1. Silver Lake Park
705 E Silver Lake Dr NE
13 minutes from Springs at South Broadway

This quiet park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing and getting closer to nature. There are baseball diamonds, horseshoe pits, a paved walking trail, and even a playground for the children. You can also take a paddle boat or canoe out onto the lake and get some exercise while admiring the glistening waters or fishing for bluegill, black crappie and white sucker fish.

2. Cooke Park
722 Seventh St NW
10 minutes from Springs at South Broadway

If you love sports, a visit to Cooke Park is definitely in order. Along with baseball diamonds, the park offers sand volleyball courts, tennis courts, and an open playing field that's great for soccer or football. There are several picnic shelters on-site, so you can enjoy a packed lunch when you're finished playing.

3. Quarry Hill Park
701 Silver Creek Rd NE
13 minutes from Springs at South Broadway

Quarry Hill Park is known as the "jewel" of the Rochester Park System, and you could certainly spend an entire weekend here. There are plenty of hiking and nature trails to explore throughout the 320-acre park, and Quarry Hill Nature Center—located on-site—offers cave exploration tours, guided hikes, and nature programs for children. The park is home to many bird species, and you can borrow binoculars at the Nature Center to make spotting them easier. At the pond, you're sure to spot numerous dragonflies, turtles, frogs and ducks.

4. Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial
300 Seventh St SW
9 minutes from Springs at South Broadway

Constructed from 1995 to 2000 this beautiful memorial wall that honors more than 3,000 servicemen and women from the Rochester area who gave their lives for their country. Traverse the Walk of Remembrance, and enjoy the 50 sponsored trees that represent the 50 states. The memorial is open to visitors each day until 10:00 p.m.

5. East Park
1738 E Center St
12 minutes from Springs at South Broadway

East Park is home to a disc golf course, where beginners and experienced players can hone their skills in a quiet, natural environment. There are also paved trails for rollerblading and biking, along with sand volleyball courts and a sport complex where local teams often play. Summer basketball leagues regularly play on the courts at East Park, so if you stop by in the evening, you may be able to catch a game.

Do you know of any great Rochester area parks that we forgot to mention, or have you had a great time at one of these facilities? Let us know in the comments below!