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City Manager | New Brighton6 Recreational Opportunities CREATING A HEALTHY balance of work and play has led to the establishment of 16 neighborhood parks spaced throughout the City. These parks, with playground structures and open space, comprise almost 160 acres of the City. A 12-hole disc golf course is maintained at Hansen Park. Numerous classes and activities are offered through the Parks and Recreation Department for all ages. Four parks are home to Neighborhood Centers – rentable event and meeting spaces. The Community Center, truly the “heart of the City” and host to 541,000 visitors annually, is home to Eagle’s Nest Indoor Playground, the New Brighton Fitness Center, and a Ramsey County Library. Eagle’s Nest was completely remodeled in 2017 and provides an active and fun play space for youngsters year-round – even on the coldest of Minnesota winter days! At the Fitness Center-Studio- Gymnasium, the whole community – from its youngest members to most elderly citizens – can enjoy fun and healthy recreational opportunities. The City also operates Brightwood Hills Golf Course, a 1,538 yard, par 30, executive course. There are twelve independent city- wide youth athletic associations providing competitive leagues and club activities. The Parks and Recreation Department is currently undergoing a Comprehensive Plan exercise, with a look to the future for programming and infrastructure improvements. It is a priority of the Council to invest in the initiatives and goals as called out in the soon-to-be adopted Parks Comp Plan. The City values its partnerships with community organizations. For example, from June through October, the City partners with a weekly Farmers Market group which attracts vendors from throughout the area to sell their produce and goods. Over 1000 kids participate in a “Power of Produce” program, a program that encourages habits of healthy eating, promoting conversations with farmers and discounted tokens to purchase locally grown produce. The City also enjoys partnering with community organizers in celebrating its annual Stockyard Days during the second week in August. Recalling the 19th century history of the City and the City’s contributions during World War II, the eight-day festival includes concerts, tournaments, street dances, a parade, and all the accessories of a city-wide blow-out party. The “New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run” ) brings over 50 owners and their cars 120 miles through scenic countryside, finishing as part of the Stockyard Days celebration. New Brighton houses a branch of the Ramsey County Library system at the Community Center. With a large in-house collection and access to the full Ramsey County system, the library offers children’s programing, book clubs, and 20 computers with full internet access for community use.