The Holy Family boys hockey team recently uses the indoor track at the Victoria Recreation Center to warm up before heading to practice on the ice sheet below. Photo by Unsie Zuege.
That’s not a Paul Bunyan-esque myth we’re making up.
According to surveys by American Sports Data Inc., Minnesota has more runners per capita than all but four states.
Hardcore runners like their exercise outside pretty much year-round, and many cities help by plowing trails to keep them open through the heart of winter.
But what happens to the casual, not-so-hardy exercise buffs when the weather gets really hot or really cold? Where do those not interested in a full-fledged fitness club membership go when they aren’t willing to put up with ice-covered paths or soaring heat indexes?
One option that’s easy on the pocketbook is the local community center.
There are several in the southwest suburbs that have walking/running tracks open for public use free of charge.
“Our track is utilized a lot when it’s cold or hot out,” said Chaska Park Director Tom Redman. The three-lane track has designated walking and running lanes and good window views for those who simply want to see what’s going on outside.
Redman said the Chaska track, which overlooks gym floors and a workout area, attracts regular walkers and strollers, as well as casual joggers.
About a dozen walkers took advantage of the indoor track even on a relatively mild early-January afternoon.
A lot of socializing happens among the walkers, too, which gives facility newcomers a chance to see all that the community center has to offer, Redman said.
Access to the track is also free at the Victoria Recreation Center, Shakopee Community Center and Prior Lake and Eden Prairie high schools, as well as other community facilities.
A track at the Pagel Ice Arena at Minnetonka High School is also available to the public, said Manager Greg Clough. There, however, you aren’t necessarily escaping the cold. The track temperature is near freezing, he said.
Typically, the community tracks get busier when winter hits, though this year the warm December and January weather may be keeping more people outside.
“As soon as it gets cold and the sidewalks get slippery, then it fills up,” said Bobbi Birkholz of Prior Lake-Savage Community Education. The track at Prior Lake High School is exclusively for walkers; Mondays and Wednesdays are designated family walks for parents who want to exercise with their children or push a stroller.
So for the casual jogger or walker resolving to make 2012 a year of better fitness, local community facilities may be a good option to get on the path to success. Keep in mind, however, that in most cases the tracks are the only free amenity at community centers. Entrance to other parts of the facilities, such as locker rooms, requires daily or membership fees.
This story originally appeared in Southwest Newspapers' Let's Go. Read more about local things to do at letsgo.mn.
The following are some local facilities that have indoor tracks open to the public for little or no cost:
Victoria Recreation Center
Address: 8475 Kochia Lane, Victoria
Walking/running track above ice rink: Free
Hours: M-F 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; weekends 6 a.m. to10 p.m.; track closes early on nights with varsity hockey games.
Restrictions: 10 years or older without an adult
Info: (952) 443-4255
Chaska Community Center
Address: 1661 Park Ridge Dr., Chaska
Cushioned walking/running track: Free
Hours: M-S 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Restrictions: 15 years or older
Info: (952) 448-5633
Eden Prairie High School
Address: 17185 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie
Cushioned track over basketball court: Free
Hours: M-F 6 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, generally 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, generally noon to 8 p.m.
Info: (952) 975-8110
Prior Lake High School
Address: 7575 150th St. W., Savage
Walking track around upper level of gym: Free
Hours: M-Th 6 to 8 p.m.
Restrictions: Walking only. Family walks are on Mondays and Wednesdays. Tuesdays and Thursdays no children or strollers.
Info: (952) 226-0080
Shakopee Community Center
Address: 1255 Fuller St., Shakopee
Walking/jogging track overlooking gymnasium: Free.
Hours: M-F 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Restrictions: Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult
Info: (952) 233-9500
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