CALL IT A TREASURE HUNT or a scavenger hunt, whatever the word choice, both equate a search for something hidden. Count me in.
While vacationing last week in Crow Wing County’s Chain of Lakes area, I happened upon gnomes at Mission Park north of Merrifield. The gnomes are a recent addition to this township park, which Randy and I walk whenever we stay at a family member’s nearby lake cabin.
I remember my sister-in-law mentioning last summer that gnomes were moving into the park. But I’d forgotten until I read a sign posted at the park entry. I felt giddy with the possibilities of spotting these mythical creatures. The dwarfs are the subject of folklore. And of good luck.
The sign warned: Leave the gnomes be, or bad luck will follow thee. No problem there. I’d adhere to the rules rather than climb a tree to take them and risk falling in the process.
I spotted my first gnome in a tree next to the playground. Then we hit the Tar Trail. And, yes, it’s appropriately named given the path is the only paved one in the park.
We walked at a fast pace. Any pause in movement brought Minnesota’s state bird, aka the mosquito, in to full attack mode. Still, several were successful in biting me. I stopped only to snap quick photos of several gnomes with my cellphone. There would be no lingering with my 35 mm camera, zooming in with my telephoto lens, during this visit. Nope. Gnomes may intrigue and delight me, but not enough to feed myself to the mosquitoes.
And so Randy and I hurried along the 3/4-mile loop, me swatting away bugs while trying to spot tree gnomes in the midst of the woods. I found only three tree gnome sites, plus a bonus face on a pine. But it was enough to satisfy me. I’ll resume my gnome search upon a return here in the fall, when the weather cools and mosquitoes are perhaps less prevalent.
Whimsical gnomes are a fun addition to a park that offers pickleball, tennis and basketball courts, disc golf, horseshoes, a playground, picnic shelter, ball fields, pollinator garden and more for locals and vacationers. I love walking here, where trees stretch tall, where the wind roars like waterfalls through treetops, where, now, gnomes have settled comfortably into the woods.
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I am absolutely enchanted by this, what a wonderful park/community bonus
You would love this, Beth.
I, too, would love to walk this park. If I happened to get up to Cross Lake this summer I’ll find out from you where the park is…
It’s easy to find. The turn to Mission Park is just south of the Mission Tavern. You turn off County Road 3 and go about a mile east and there it is. Yes, you would love looking for these gnomes.
Had to map Merrifield, sad to say, haven’t been there. Wish we could have done something similar to that last tree picture on our 45 ash trees vs. the emptiness we have. Such creativity, knomes art will never get old. What a great vacation, mosquitoes and all! Thanks for sharing!
I have lots to share from our vacation. Just need to get the photos onto my computer and then start sorting through and processing them. Gnomes are fun!
Mission Park is such a lovely park. I haven’t been there in awhile, but I’m excited to go and find the gnomes. We had grandkids visiting from North Carolina the last few weeks, so we played in a few local parks – Breezy, Pequot, and Crosslake… Fortunately they flew home before the CrowdStrike fiasco… But I miss them all so terribly much. 💕
Rose, I thought of you when I was at the cabin, but didn’t have your email with me to contact you. It sounds like you were plenty busy with the NC grandkids. Ours were with us for several days at the cabin and I really missed them, too, after they left. Glad yours flew home before the fiasco.
Hi Audrey, Fun to read about Mission Park near Merrifield. Is that the one at the south end of Horseshoe Lake? Our family has visited Crow Wing County over the years (since 1947) and at one time owned some property in Mission Township – We have visited cabins on the southeast shore of Pelican Lake for many years, and Faribault Educators from Shattuck and St James purchased land over a century ago with a vision to create “Shattuck Camp” check our blog post. Thanks so much, Tom Weaver https://prairielakesjourneystwospirit.blogspot.com/2013/02/history-episcopal-schools-faribault.html
Yes, Tom, that’s correct. Mission Park is south of Horseshoe Lake, the lake where our family members own a house and cabin. Thank you for sharing your personal connection to the area and Shattuck’s also.