Recreation Program Update

Upcoming Programs, Registration Deadlines, and New Releases:
 
Upcoming Special Events:
Central Park Playground Re-opening
The Central Park playground was installed 28 years ago by volunteers. Since then, thousands of young people have enjoyed it—now these residents can bring their children to the new, even larger playground following construction in April. Come celebrate the grand reopening with the Ramsey Parks and Recreation Commission! Food from Griddle on the Go will be available for purchase.

• Date: Thursday, May 8, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
  • Parks and Recreation Commission meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. – you’re invited to stay and hear about the latest in park and trail initiatives and provide your input on the very first Community Art Plan for the city.

• Cost: Free
• Registration: Pre-registration is encouraged if you would like to receive event reminders or notifications of any weather-related changes.

 
Dash and Dine 5K
Join us for our very first Dash and Dine 5k at Elmcrest Park! This event is for everyone, regardless of whether you run, walk, spectate, or just want to spend some time outside at the park – you’re invited! After the race, we will have food trucks, yard games, inflatables, and activities for all. See the full schedule on the race website.

• Date: Saturday, May 17 at Elmcrest Park, Race starts at 9:30 a.m.
• Cost: $45, includes $10 food truck voucher and t-shirt while supplies last.
• This race is scheduled for the same weekend as the annual Garage Sale Trail. See below for more information.

 
Garage Sale Trail
It’s back and better than ever! Meet your neighbors, find great bargains, and explore a variety of treasures at the third annual Garage Sale Trail. This year, we're excited to partner with Elk River for a bigger and better sale event! Don’t forget to swing by Elmcrest Park while you’re out and about shopping for some tasty eats from one of the food trucks!

• Date: Thursday, May 15- Sa., May 17, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Cost: FREE
• Registration: Pre-registration is required, register by May 11 online here.
• We encourage sellers to use Sunday as a “free day” and/or donate their items to community organizations. We have compiled a list of local organizations accepting donations by pickup or drop off online here.

 
Kites and Bites
Fill the spring skies with colorful kites! Join us with the Ramsey Lions for our third annual Kites and Bites. Fun for all ages, we’ll have a food truck, entertainment, yard games, and more! Bring your own kite or come decorate your own (while supplies last).

• Date: Saturday, May 31, 10:00 a.m. – noon at Elmcrest Park

• Cost: FREE
• Registration: Pre-registration is encouraged if you would like to receive event reminders or notifications of any weather related changes.

 
Two Rivers Art Fair
Save the date for the Two Rivers Art Fair for its second year at The Draw!

• Date: Saturday, July 19, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Cost: Free to attend
• Registration: Now accepting artist registrations! Fee is $40 for a 10x10 booth, youth receive a discounted booth at $25.
• Volunteer: We couldn’t run this event without the help of our wonderful volunteers! Two and three hour shifts are available here.

 
 
Active and Outdoor Programs:
Walk with a Naturalist
Join Naturalist Ellen for a guided spring birdwatching walk at Mississippi West and Rum River Central, where you'll observe migratory waterfowl, warblers, and other forest birds—arrive early for an optional 7 a.m. scouting walk before the main 8 a.m. group.

• Dates:
  • Day        Date                      Location                               Time   

                       Su.          May 4                   Mississippi West               7 a.m. or 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
                       Su.          May 25                 Mississippi West               7 a.m. or 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

• Cost: $5/ session
• Registration: Pre-registration is required to secure your spot. This program needs a minimum number of participants to run.

 
Line Dancing
Led by Karen Ann Stark, an experienced instructor and former choreographer of the Bootscooters Dance Team, each week features a new dance. Suitable for all ages and levels, no partner required—just bring a water bottle and get ready to dance! Classes take place at Central Park.

• Dates:
  • Day      Date                Time   

                      Tu.        May 6              5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
                      Tu.        May 20           5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

• Cost: $5/session
• Registration: Pre-register prior to arrival at the class. Walk-ins taken on a first come first serve basis.
• Note: Line Dancing classes will take a break over the summer. We will look to schedule more come the fall pending the instructor’s availability.

 
Intro to Pickleball
Learn the basics of pickleball with certified instructor Gwen Radel from Nitty Gritty Pickleball! This fun, two-hour beginner class covers rules, scoring, terminology, fundamentals, and court positioning—paddles and balls provided. These classes fill fast! Please only register for one Intro to Pickleball session. All classes cover the same materials. Classes take place at the Central Park courts.

• Dates:
  • Day      Date                Time   

                       Sa.       May 10           9 – 11 a.m.
                       Su.       June 1             1 – 3  p.m.
                       Sa.       June 14           9 – 11 a.m.
                       Su.       July 27            1 – 3 p.m.

• Cost: $15/person
• Registration: Pre-registration is required, space is limited.

 
Pickleball Leagues
Our first league of the season started on April 30 and will run through July 2! Ramsey Parks and Recreation is partnering with Minnesota Pickleball to offer structured ladder leagues where players compete individually, rotate partners each session, and move up or down based on performance, with results posted weekly. Leagues will take place at the Central Park courts.

• Sessions
  • Sunday Evening
    • June 15- August 31, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday Evening Late Season
    • July 16-Sept. 17, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

• Cost: $65/person
• Registration: Pre-registration is required, space is limited.

 
Tree Planting with Ramsey Environmental Policy Board and Parks and Recreation Commission
Celebrate Arbor Month by joining Ramsey’s Environmental Policy Board and Parks and Recreation Commission to plant replacement trees along 145th Ave NW, helping restore trees lost to Emerald Ash Borer. Families are welcome, with youth activities and supervision available for children.

• Date: Wednesday, May 14, 6  – 7:30 p.m.
• Cost: FREE
• Registration: Pre-registration is strongly encouraged as space is limited based on the number of trees and equiptment. If you plan to bring children, pre-registration is required to ensure we have age-appropriate activities and the right quantity of materials. Please register both the adult volunteer and any participating children. 

 
Wednesday Evening Yoga
Weekly Yoga is back! After a long pause, we are excited to bring back Wednesday evening yoga at Central Park.

• Dates: Wednesdays, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Central Park
  • Sessions begin May 21.

• Cost: $5/session
• Registration: Pre-register prior to arrival at the class. Walk-ins taken on a first come first serve basis.  

 
 
 
Youth and Family Programs:
Parent and Me
In partnership with KidCreate, our Parent & Me classes offer children ages 12 months to 6 years a fun, sensory-rich experience to explore, create, and play alongside their caregivers at Central Park.

• Dates:
  • Day        Date                      Theme                                  Time   
  • Sa.          June 14                 Glow Party                          10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
  • Sa.          July 12                   Summer Fun                      10:30 – 11:30 a.m.        
  • Sa.          Aug. 16                 Camp Out                            10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

• Cost: $25/parent-child pair. Get $10 off when you register a sibling for the same session.
• Registration: Pre-registration is required. Space is limited to 12 kids per session.

 
Time2Play
Play is fundamental to a child’s healthy development and community gives children a feeling of belonging and safety. Time2Play with Northgate Church combines the two by providing a weekly destination for fun! Bring your kids and their friends and join us for games, sports, crafts and snacks.

• Dates: Tuesdays, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the ballfields at The Draw
• Cost: FREE
• Registration: Pre-registration is encouraged if you would like to receive event reminders or notifications of any weather related changes.
• Although this event is partnered with a church, this is not a religious activity or “church event.” Northgate Church wishes to provide services to the community with kids and families in mind, regardless of belief.

 
Sports Discovery
Discover Your Child’s Passion for Sports! This weekly introductory program is perfect for kids ages 3-9 who want to explore three of today’s most popular sports: soccer, baseball, and flag football. The four sessions are designed to help kids familiarize themselves with these sports, the program provides an opportunity to learn new skills, discover their favorites, and understand the importance of sportsmanship.

• Dates: Tuesdays, June 10 – July 1 at Central Park
  • Age        Time

                     3 to 4     5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
                     5 to 6     6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
                     7 to 9     7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

• Cost: $85/child, includes t-shirt
• Registration: Pre-registration is required.

 
 
 
55+ Programs:
55+ Day Trip: Holland Family Farm and Marieke Gouda Store
Discover the rich flavors and traditions of Holland’s Family Farm in Thorp, WI, where Gouda cheese is made fresh just hours after milking. This immersive visit includes a guided tour of the farm, a chance to meet the cows and calves, and an inside look at the cheese-making process—complete with a tasty sample. Enjoy a delicious meal at Café Dutchess while taking in the picturesque farm views, then explore the Marieke Gouda Store for locally made Wisconsin goods and Dutch specialties. It’s a perfect day of food, fun, and farm-fresh experiences! 

• Date: Tuesday, June 10

• Cost: $96/person. Includes roundtrip transportation on a coach bus, lunch, and guided tour. Bus picks up and drops off at City Hall.
• Registration: Registration is open until May 11 or until full. No refunds or registrations can be taken after this date.

 
Vitality Arts: Nature Drawing and Watercolor
Vitality Arts is a program was developed by the Rumriver Art Center to share the transformative power of the arts and creativity that inspire vitality in older adults. Classes are designed to improve the health, well-being, and renewed sense of purpose for adults ages 55 and older. Join us at Central Park for a Nature Drawing and Watercolors camp and let your creativity bloom. Each day you will spend time drawing and sketching a variety of subjects. Explore many watercolor techniques, composition, color mixing and more. This class is perfect for all levels of experience.

• Dates: Monday-Friday, June 16 – 20, 9:30 a.m. – noon at Central Park
• Cost: $150/person, includes all materials except for a sketchbook.
• Registration: Pre-registration is required to secure your spot. Register online through the Rumriver Art Center here.
  • Only three spots remain as of May 1!

 
55+ Day Trip: Munsinger Gardens
Experience a delightful day in St. Cloud exploring gardens, dining, and history! Begin with a visit to the Munsinger and Clemens Gardens nestled along the Mississippi River shores. These nationally renowned gardens attract visitors from all over the world. Following the garden visit, fill up with a delicious lunch at Coyote Moon Grille before heading to the Stearns County History Museum for a guided tour.

• Date: Wednesday, July 23
• Cost: $92/person. Includes roundtrip transportation on a coach bus, lunch, and entry to all locations. Bus picks up and drops off at City Hall.
• Registration: Registration is open until June 22 or until full. No refunds or registrations can be taken after this date.

 
 
 
In the Works
Planning for our 2025 programs and events is in full swing! We’ve locked in dates for some popular returning events and a few exciting new ones:

• Volunteer opportunities – want to get involved with the community? Let us know! We’re looking for volunteers to assist at a variety of our events.
• Community Art Plan – In partnership with the Ramsey Community Foundation, we’re working on the creation of a Community Art Plan. We are currently gathering resident feedback on what Ramsey means to those who live and work here. Visit our website to learn more.
• More summer fun – We are working on gearing up for new and returning favorite summer events such as Party at the Park with giant waterslides, NW Food Truck Fest, Pickleball Women’s State Qualifier, The Draw Concert Series and so much more!
• Happy Days – Registration for Happy Days events and sponsors have started to open. For more information, visit our Happy Days website here.
• Expanding communications – At events, we often hear that people are just discovering everything we offer. We’d love to reach people where they are to share our programs and events. Right now, we have been utilizing EventBrite, Nextdoor, Facebook, this E-Newsletter, our Website, Ramsey Resident, and submitting events to local papers and other online event boards. If you have other places you receive information and think would be a great place for us to spread the word, please let me know!

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