Nestled in the hardwood forests of the St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, Stillwater is beautifully blanketed by a canopy of Oak and Maples that intermix with Birch and Cottonwoods. Under this canopy is where you find the slithering and bending trails that wind throughout the woods. Stillwater’s outdoor scenery and recreation areas make it the perfect place to get the “up-north” feeling within 30 seconds of stepping onto a trail.

Within Stillwater’s borders, there are plenty of outdoor recreation destinations: 36 City parks, open spaces and nature reserves. These areas provide a relaxing place for a picnic, leisurely stroll and a group photo all in the same day. All of these areas are accessible year round, but most enjoyable from the middle of April through the middle of October.

Within the city limits, 27 parks are sewn in the fabric of Stillwater. If a family wanted to experience as many parks in as little walking distance, historical downtown Stillwater is the place to be. Within one or two miles a family can experience six fun parks.

“The parks are in better shape than ever,” said 

 The park that is most noticeable, mainly for the sheer size of its attractants, is Teddy Bear Park. Located just off of Main St. and Nelson St. East, this cozy park has two giant teddy bears, a rock climbing wall, picnic tables and a gazebo that can be rented out for parties. A map of all parks in Stillwater can be located on Stillwater Parks’ website.

 Now city parks are nice and all, but that just does not cut it for some people. Some people want to hear flowing water with a background of chickadees and meadowlarks singing to one another. Stillwater’s Brown’s Creek Nature Preserve is just that. This nature preserve has many species of native Minnesotan prairie grasses such as Big Blue Stem, Little Blue Stem, Side Oats and many more. Also in Brown’s Creek Nature Reserve are hardwood creek bottoms that are dominated with oak, aspen and maple trees.

“The city [of Stillwater] has put their money where their mouth is,” explained AP Environmental Science teacher Andrew Weaver. “They have diverted polluted city water away from Brown’s Creek so that recreators get the most out of their visit.”

Not all of this recreation just happens; it takes a team effort to make, and keep, Stillwater’s city parks and nature preserves functional and beautiful at the same time. Due to the teamwork of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Washington County Parks & Recreation Commission and the Stillwater Parks Commission, the opportunities for outdoor recreation are abundant. The sheer beauty of Stillwater’s parks is what draws, and keeps, tourists coming every year.