Best Things To Do In Richfield

Nestled in the middle of the Twin Cities metro, Richfield offers easy access to the cities, but retains the small town feel with a population of less than 35,000. Richfield has a number of family-friendly activities, events and destinations. Many of the items on this list are hidden gems, like the numerous, well-kept parks throughout the city. One interesting tidbit about Richfield: All the liquor stores in the city are owned and operated by the City of Richfield, and all the profits go to the Park and Recreation Department for park maintenance, improvements and programs.

Richfield Farmers' Market

Saturdays, May to September, 7 a.m. to Noon
Saturdays, October, 8 a.m. to Noon
Veterans Memorial Park
64th St & Portland Ave.
Richfield, MN 55423

Fridays, June to August, 2 to 6 p.m.
Assumption Church Parking Lot
305 E. 77th St.
Richfield, MN 55423
612-861-9385
Website

Richfield has one of the best local Farmers' Markets. It's not too big, but it's chock full of locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants and locally produced breads, honeys, meats, nuts, etc. Only one vendor is permitted to bring in produce from other areas of the country to allow the shoppers to complete their grocery lists. Clearly, the focus is on fresh and local foods at the market.

Located in the Pavilion at Veterans Memorial Park, right off Highway 62 on Portland Avenue, there's a large playground, walking trails and indoor bathrooms located right next to the pavilion, making it the perfect Saturday morning destination for families. You can grab some muffins, honey sticks and berries, along with enough meats, breads and veggies for the week, then head over to the park to play and have breakfast.

Richfield Outdoor Pool

630 E. 66th St
Richfield, MN 55423
612-861-9355

Richfield's pool pavilion is ideal because the large, deeper pool and the shallow wading pool are each fenced in separate areas with common eating and gathering areas. Thus, allowing parents with young kids the peace of mind that their little tots won't accidentally stumble into the deeper pool.

The zero-depth-entry wading pool has fountains, slides, a climbing structure and other fun features in the middle of the water. It's perfect for little ones just learning to walk and/or swim as well as the preschoolers, and older kids. There are always multiple lifeguards on duty, and plenty of chairs, umbrellas and a grassy hill within the gated area for those breaks from the pool.

The 50 meter pool is also a blast for the older set, with two tall, twisting waterslides, a one-meter diving board, water volleyball and two 25-yard lap lanes.

The pool opens June 11. Season passes are available for purchase. The 50-meter pool is handicap accessible with a ramp. Check link for daily hours, swim lesson information and adult lap swim times.

Adventure Gardens Mini Golf

6335 Portland Ave S
Richfield, MN 55423
612-861-9169

Located just behind the Veterans Memorial Park Pavilion, this 18-hole miniature golf course is a great family outing or cheap date night destination. Ten holes are accessible to people with mobility impairments, as well.

The mini golf course is surrounded by gardens, waterfalls, streams and ponds for an attractive landscape. The course opens May 1 and is only $6.75 for adults, $5.25 for youth ages 6 to 17 and those over 55 and free for those under age 6.

Fourth of July Celebration

P.O. Box 23381
Richfield, MN 55423
Website

Richfield has been hosting a free, five-day community focused Fourth of July Celebration since 1980. This multi-day event has something for everyone. Most of the festivities take place in Veterans Memorial Park.

Whether you come strictly for one of the best and largest firework displays in the metro that caps the celebration or camp out on the side of the road for the parade, watch the outdoor movie during Family Night, hit the carnival for a few rides, check out the Car Show, shake your booty at the street dance or indulge in the mini donuts, hot dogs, funnel cakes and kettle corn you will take pleasure in participating in this small town Fourth of July event.

If you come for the fireworks, come early, if you want to claim a grassy spot of your own. This spectacular show is highly attended. But that's part of the fun: dragging your picnic basket, cooler, blanket and lawn chairs through the park looking for the prime place to stake a claim and set up camp along with hundreds of other families.

Wood Lake Nature Center

6710 Lake Shore Drive
Richfield, MN 55423
612-861-9367
Website

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, Wood Lake opened in 1971 and was the first municipal nature center in the area. If you have driven north on Interstate 35W, you have driven right past this natural habitat. You haven't noticed it? Well, I'm not surprised; you can't see it from the interstate. A wall separates Wood Lake Nature Center from the hubbub of the city and the ever present hum of engines zooming up and down I-35W.

Wood Lake is a small, but lovely, lush natural area "dedicated to environmental education, wildlife observation and outdoor recreation." The nature center is 150 acres with three miles of trails and boardwalks and most are wheelchair accessible in the summer months. These trails will take you through three different habitats: a cattail marsh, a mixed lowland forest and a restored prairie.

The Interpretive Center is a wonderful place for families to explore and learn about the environment surrounding them with interactive displays, games, books, animals, bird feeders and bee hives. There are staff naturalists on hand to answer questions during building hours.

Benches and picnic tables are scattered throughout the area, as well as an outdoor play area consisting of stumps, logs, sticks, rocks, etc. for children to use their imaginations to create and make believe. Wood Lake is a prime spot for bird watching, frog and insect discoveries and if you are lucky, you might even spy a deer or two.

Wood Lake Nature Center is the perfect place to explore, learn, exercise and play. Wood Lake offers many interesting programs for kids of all ages and adults, hosts birthday parties with nature themes, conducts weekly summer camps and presents special events throughout the year.

Wood Lake Nature Center is free to enter and use the trails and Interpretive Center. During the winter there are snow shoes and cross-country skis to rent. Members receive discounts on programs, free admission to special events and free use of skis and snow shoes.

Concerts In The Park

Augsburg Park
70th Street and Nicollet Avenue
612-861-9395
Website

Every Thursday during the summer, beginning June 9 at 7 p.m. enjoy a family-friendly band outside in the beautiful Augsburg Park. Bring a blanket, chairs and a picnic basket and you've got a perfect free family fun night, date night or gathering of friends. Although the 2011 schedule is not posted yet, it's sure to be a delightful experience.

-- Anna Berend is an attorney and the author of Motherly Law Blog. On Motherly Law, Anna writes about legal issues that affect families and offers tips and resources that pertain to those legal topics. On occasion, inspiration strikes and Anna writes about something totally unrelated to the law. Originally a Texan, Anna now resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, two young sons and a menagerie of pets. You can find Anna at www.motherlylaw.com, on Facebook at Motherly Law and on Twitter @MotherlyLaw.