Max Traxler, Lifelong Park Visitor

“Hi there! My name is Max, I’m 26, a Minneapolis native, and would consider myself to be a connoisseur of the MSP Parks System. From a young age, the importance of spending time outdoors was a staple in my daily routine. My mother grew up in Southern Minnesota, and spent most of her time outdoors, and, in turn, instilled in me the value of soaking up the sun, learning how to distinguish different plants, and being able to identify different birds based off their song. Luckily for me, I grew up in Minneapolis with an abundance of wildlife, foliage, and an endless supply of adventures, all found in our parks!

As a kid, I have fond memories of walks along the Stone Arch Bridge with my mom, sledding down hills at Sibley Park, skipping stones along the Mississippi at Fort Snelling State Park, using the free putting and chipping ranges at Hiawatha Golf Course, and tandem bikes rides around Lake Hiawatha and Nokomis. Speaking of Lake Hiawatha, some of the best memories I have from my childhood were made playing Rec League Baseball with the Lake Hiawatha Lakers. Not to toot my own horn, but I remember winning the 2010 13U Baseball tournament out at Neiman Fields, all because of my throw from deep left field to home plate to stave off a tie game. Still my crowning athletic achievement to this day. The umpire, Kirby, even gave me a pat on the back after my throw.

Now, as an adult, even with my limited time, I can still find so much joy in spending time in our parks. On the weekends, I’ll spending a lot of time hiking around Crosby Farms, watching beavers tend to their massive lake dams. Sundays are always spent with my mom walking around Fort Snelling State Park watching deer and hearing the occasional eagle or owl call out. And if you want the inside scoop, the Rose Gardens at Lake Harriet and the Longfellow Peace Gardens make for perfect first-date locations. But you didn’t hear that from me.

All in all, in terms of major metropolitan areas, Minneapolis does parks right! With an endless supply of outdoor activities, Minneapolis puts an emphasis on coexistence with nature and the best part is, almost all of it is FREE! So there’s no excuse, get outside, smell a flower, find a cool rock, and chirp with a bird like no one is watching!”