2025 Program Review + 2026 Upcoming Programs

Ramsey Parks and Recreation has expanded and strengthened its recreation program offerings over the past several years. The purpose of this agenda item is for staff to provide the Commission with an update on program growth, participation trends, and key highlights, as well as a preview of what is planned for 2026. Staff will present this update during the meeting.

In addition, staff launched an informal Recreation e-Newsletter in late 2023 to improve communication and connection with residents. Subscriber numbers have steadily increased since its creation. As of the end of 2025, the newsletter has just over 425 subscribers.

The most recent E-Newsletter can be viewed below:

Hello all,

Happy New Year! Ramsey Parks and Recreation had so much fun in the community this year. In 2025, we offered 126 sessions across 37 unique programs, welcoming more than 12,000 participants.
We also like to understand the total impact of recreation in the community instead of just the total number of programs we offer. Recreation Experience Hours reflect the total time residents spend participating in our programs. By that measure, for every one hour we programmed, it created about 103 hours of recreation experiences in the community. We are so proud of the impact we have had and hope to continue connecting the community through parks through 2026! With that, we have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT for next year – we’re getting a Farmer’s Market! See below for more information.
On a personal note, I would like to sincerely thank you for allowing me to have one of the best jobs in the world. Over the past year, I have been able to witness so many meaningful moments in our community, from people running their very first race ever at the Dash and Dine 5K or Happy Days 5K, to friends making time to reconnect each week at the Concert Series, to kids of all abilities playing at the new Central Park playground, talented youth artists selling their work for the very first time at the art fair, and all of the new friendships made throughout programs. Moments like these are exactly why I came into parks and recreation. Parks and Recreation create space and opportunities for people to try something new, build healthy habits, express creativity, and connect with others in meaningful ways. I am incredibly grateful to do this work near where I grew up and to be part of the Ramsey Community! Cheers to another year of fun ahead!
This newsletter provides an overview of some of our upcoming programs and events. Use the links below to explore additional offerings:

• View our full current program listings on our registration page here.
• Learn more about parks, rentals, and general Parks and Recreation information here.

 
 
 
Upcoming Programs:
 
Annual Photo Contest – deadline TONIGHT at midnight!
Did you know the City of Ramsey hosts an annual Photo Contest as a way to celebrate what our community members love most about our city? This contest is a great chance to showcase your photography skills, get creative, and explore three different adult categories, along with a youth category. Prizes are awarded to the top entries in each category. For full details on entry, visit our website here.

• Registration: Contest closes on Wednesday, December 31 at 11:59 p.m.
• You do NOT have to be a progression photographer to enter! Ramsey Parks and Recreation staff LOVE seeing how you all capture Ramsey. We love to highlight these photos as much as we can from City publications, to kiosks, and even in our Puzzle Competition!   

 
Line Dancing
Line Dancing is back! Each week you’ll learn a new dance and do a quick review of previous ones. All ages and experience levels are welcome—no partner required. Two four-week sessions will be offered this winter.

• Dates:
  • Session 1: Wednesdays, Jan. 14 – Feb. 4 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Central Park
  • Session 2: Wednesdays, Feb. 18 – March 11 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Central Park
• Cost: $35/session
• Registration: Pre-registration is required. Registration is open until full.

 
NEW: Once Upon a Parenting: Stories for kids, insights for parents
Join us for a parent-child storytime with Anoka-Hennepin ECFE (PreK–Grade 3). Kids enjoy books and crafts while parents learn practical strategies to support growth, emotional well-being, and problem-solving with a parenting educator.

• Date: Thursday, January 22 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Ramsey City Hall
• Cost: FREE
• Registration: Pre-registration is strongly encouraged to reserve your spot. Only one registration needed per family. Capacity is limited to 15 families.
• Ages: Geared toward ages 3-8 with their caregivers, but all ages are welcome. Parents may also attend without children.

 
Puzzle Competition
Join us for a family-friendly speed puzzling challenge. Teams of up to four compete to complete a 500-piece puzzle featuring Ramsey photo contest images.

• Date: Thursday, January 29 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Ramsey City Hall
• Cost: $40/team
• Registration: Pre-register by Tuesday, Jan. 20 to guarantee your spot (only one registration needed per team).

 
Frost Fest
Experience the magic of winter at our third annual Frost Fest! This family-friendly event features snow activities (weather pending) and a luminary skate when the sun sets. This year, the Rumriver Art Center is hosting the Chili Cook-off inside the warming house. Attendees can sample all of the chilis for $5 and vote for their favorite.  Half of the proceeds will go to the winning chef(s), and the remaining half will be donated to the Rumriver Art Center.

• Date: Saturday, February 7 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Central Park
• Cost: FREE to attend, FREE to enter the Chili Cook-off, $5 to sample Chili.
• Registration: Pre-registration is required for the Chili Cook-off and limited to 15 entrants.
  • Sign up today! We are looking for more Chili Competitors!

 
Wednesday Evening Yoga
Weekly Yoga is back at the Public Works building in 2026!

• Dates: Wednesdays from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Public Works
• Cost: $5/session
• Registration: Pre-register prior to arrival at the class.
• Ages: 13+

 
Qigong Meditation for Health
Qigong (chee gong) is a holistic system of exercise that aims to strengthen, stretch, balance, and coordinate the body. It is deceptively simple yet can be profoundly healing. Instructor Peggy Brown leads a free weekly practice at City Hall.

• Dates: Thursdays from 10:30  – 11:30 a.m. in the Alexander Ramsey Room at City Hall
• Cost: FREE
• Ages: Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult in the class.

 
 
 
Save the Date:
Mark your calendars for some community favorites returning in 2026! Additional details will be released as the events approach.  
 
Egg-Paw-Looza
Our annual “Easter Egg” hunt for dogs is back and better than ever! We’ll have plenty of colorful tennis balls scattered around the park for your dog to sniff out and play. This year we are opening up applications for dog-related vendors to attend the event.

• Date: Saturday, April 4 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Alpine Dog Park
• Cost: FREE
• New this year: Dog-related vendors are invited to attend!

 
Garage Sale Trail
Meet your neighbors, find bargains, and rummage through miscellaneous treasures at the second annual City-wide Garage Sale! To participate and have your house listed, please sign up here. A final map and list of all registered garage sales will be published the week of the garage sale.

• Dates: Thursday, May 14 – Saturday, May 16
• Cost: FREE

 
NW Food Truck Fests
Ramsey Parks and Recreation is excited to host a NW Food Truck Fest again this year!

• Dates: Saturday, June 20 from noon – 7 p.m. at Central Park
• Cost: FREE to attend

 
Dash and Dine 5K
The Dash and Dine 5k is returning for a second year! We are excited to add some additional partnerships and elements to the race.  

• Date: Saturday, May 30 at Elmcrest Park.
• Cost: Varies; watch for an early bird special in early 2026!

 
Two Rivers Art Fair
After a record-breaking year with a full booth lineup and waitlist, Two Rivers Art Fair returns to The Draw with live performances, food trucks, hands-on art, local vendors, and more!

• Date: Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at The Draw.
• Cost: FREE to attend. Vendor costs and updated application process TBA.

 
Happy Days
Join us for the fun. There is something for everyone. The day starts with the 5K and a fun run at Elmcrest Park. The parade, expo, food trucks, kids' activities, musical entertainment, fireworks, and more

• Date: Saturday, September 12 from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
• Cost: FREE to attend. Some events have a fee.
• Vendor Applications will begin to open on Jan 1. Check our website for more details or go directly to registration here.

 
 
NEW: Ramsey Farmer’s Market
That’s right! We are officially getting a Farmer’s Market back in Ramsey!  This new Market will be hosted in partnership with the Ramsey Foundation and will kick off this summer on Tuesdays from 3–6:30 p.m., June 23 through October 6, at The Draw.
 
Our goal is to be a “producer-first” market that prioritizes supports our small farmers, and promotes healthy, local eating. We also know how important our small business community is, so we will also include limited artisan and craft vendors and have a Ramsey Business Partnership program to support the market and showcase all that we have going on right here in Ramsey. At the end of the day, we want this market to both be a place to get healthy produce as well as a spot to run into neighbors, support local, and spend time together in the heart of Ramsey.
 
For the market to be a success, we need YOU! Keep an eye on the City website and social media as we begin looking for growers, limited artisans, and local business and community partners for our first season. Share the news, come out with friends and family, and help us build something in Ramsey, for Ramsey.
 
 
I hope you have had a wonderful Holiday season and are off for a great New Year's! As always, my inbox is open for your feedback or ideas to best serve Ramsey.

Best,

 

Review 2025 recreation program outcomes and the preliminary 2026 program outlook.

Review 2025 recreation program outcomes and the preliminary 2026 program outlook.