Minnesota Prairie Roots

Signage directs trail users to Nisswa, via the tunnel.

The city’s newest park is all about nature; featuring walking paths, water garden, pavilion, picnic tables, benches and garbage cans, along with breathtaking views of Nisswa Lake.

Randy finishes his picnic lunch.

That description of Nisswa Lake Park in a printed travel guide drew my interest as I researched for a recent lake cabin get-away to the central Minnesota lakes region. Randy and I planned a day trip into the small tourist town of Nisswa. That included a picnic lunch since we are not comfortable dining out at a restaurant, even if outdoors. The community’s newest park seemed an ideal place, especially with those noted garbage cans. That notation caused us to laugh. But, hey, trash cans are vital if you’re dining outdoors in a park.

Tunnel graffiti with an encouraging message.

A simple, but powerful, word especially during these trying times in our nation.

Another timely message on the tunnel wall.

After some time browsing the many shops, we stopped at the local tourism office for directions to the lakeside park. We drove to the south end of town, parked the van and headed down flights of stairs toward a tunnel leading into Nisswa Lake Park. As we walked through the short tunnel under busy Minnesota State Highway 371, I noted the graffiti already written on the walls.

The tunnel to the park and trails passes under the highway. On the other side, you can see the stairway leading up to downtown Nisswa. This photo was taken from the park side.

And then we emerged on the other side, wondering exactly which direction to head with multiple trail options. We chose what seemed the most obvious route and soon found ourselves in a clearing, surrounded by woods.

This pavilion sits atop a hill, complete with the advertised garbage cans.

We also found the promised picnic tables, benches, pavilion and garbage cans. Along with porta potties.

The public dock at Nisswa Lake Park.

After lunch, we followed a trail leading to the public landing and dock along Nisswa Lake.

Leaves were already turning color during our visit nearly two weeks ago.

A simple, but powerful, word imprinted on the back of a bench.

The last of summer’s flowers, black-eyed susans, linger.

If there was a water garden, I missed it. But I didn’t miss the leaves, messages, flowers.

I found this kindness rock lying on the ground in Nisswa Lake Park.

The flip side of the kindness rock.

And I didn’t miss the painted heart-shaped stone with the printed message: Have a great Day. Whenever I discover such an unexpected “Kindness Rock,” as these are technically termed, I feel uplifted. Joyful. And, most of all, thankful for those creative and caring people who paint and print and place these inspirational gems in public places.

A plaque atop a picnic table inside the pavilion expresses gratitude.

So while the garbage can rated important, and the lake view proved lovely and the bathrooms necessary, it was this single small item which meant the most to me upon my first visit to Nisswa’s newest park.

© Copyright 2020 Audrey Kletscher Helbling