5 Easy Walks Near Alexandria
Kinkead
Length: Just over 2 Miles
What to expect: The entire walk is on an asphalt trail or concrete sidewalk. The trail includes the Central Lakes trail, and a walk along Lake Agnes. It’s incredibly scenic and both pet and child friendly. Parents pushing young children in a walker or people in wheelchairs should have few issues. Overall this is a family friendly, pet friendly walk.
Getting there: The walk starts at Big Ole Park on the lakefront of Lake Agnes just past downtown Alexandria. If arriving from out of town, take exit 103 off I94, and continue down Broadway until you arrive at Big Ole Park. Approx 3.5 miles.
What you’ll see: The walk starts with a straight route past the old train depot (now a restaurant/bar called The Depot Express) and continues to County Rd 22. It then passes through Kinkead Cemetery and back along Lake Agnes to your starting point in Big Ole Park.
Credit: This walk was developed by Active Living Douglas County. Additional walks and resources can be found HERE.
Link to the Map: to download this map click HERE.
City Park
Length: Just over 2.1 miles
What to expect: This trail is entirely asphalt. There is a hill that may may make wheelchair or strollers difficult, but many take the Kenwood Drive route to avoid the hill. (see map) If you stay on the lake path, the walk is much more scenic and enjoyable. There are benches, bathrooms and resting areas at both ends of the trail, as well as benches along the way. The path is family and pet friendly.
Getting there: This walk can start in either City Park or at Big Ole Park. There’s plenty of parking in both areas. Most people start from Big Ole.
What you’ll see: The path uses part of the Central Lakes trail but then follows along the lake shore of Lake Agnes and eventually ends at City Park which has beaches and playgrounds. Mary’s Place is a covered resting spot along the way. You’ll walk through trees and past holding ponds which help reduce pollution in the lakes. The walk is worth the time, doubly so when the fall colors are out.
Credit: This walk was developed by Active Living Douglas County. Additional walks and resources can be found HERE.
Link to the map: to download this map click HERE
Court House
Length: Almost 2.6 miles
What to expect: This walk is a city tour. You’ll be on sidewalks the entire way. Most of the ground is level and family friendly. The city is pet friendly, but leashes are required. The walk will take you past Fort Alexandria, Knute Nelson Ball Park, up scenic Elm Street past the Court House to Fillmore Park and back on the main thoroughfare (Broadway) of Alexandria. The walk finishes where it starts, at Big Ole Park.
Getting there: The walk starts at Big Ole Park on the lakefront of Lake Agnes just past downtown Alexandria. If arriving from out of town, take exit 103 off I94, and continue down Broadway until you arrive at Big Ole Park. Approx 3.5 miles.
What you’ll see: This walk offers views of city neighborhoods and the downtown Alexandria area.
Link to the map: To Download this map CLICK HERE.
Credit: This walk was developed by Active Living Douglas County. Additional walks and resources can be found HERE.
Historical Society
Length: 3.3 miles
What to expect: This is a fairly long city tour. You’ll start at Big Ole Park and walk through downtown, through neighborhoods and eventually back to where you started as the tour is a large rectangle. The backside of the walk is on Nokomis street. There is room to walk on the side of the road, but there are no sidewalks. In addition, the path does cut across the former high school parking lot. Currently it’s a blank field next to the local college. This may not be as family or wheelchair friendly as one would hope. Pets are allowed but need to be leashed, but do keep in mind that most of this walk has traffic nearby.
Getting there: The walk starts at Big Ole Park on the lakefront of Lake Agnes just past downtown Alexandria. If arriving from out of town, take exit 103 off I94, and continue down Broadway until you arrive at Big Ole Park. Approx 3.5 miles.
What you’ll see: You’ll be traveling through the city. You’ll pass Fort Alexandria and the Runestone Museum. Through Downtown Alexandria, you’ll pass by Noonan’s Park and finish up on the Central Lakes Trail.
Link to the map: To Download this map CLICK HERE.
Credit: This walk was developed by Active Living Douglas County. Additional walks and resources can be found HERE.
Silk Stocking
Length: Just over 1.75 miles
What to expect: This is a City Tour that walks you through one of the historic areas of Alexandria and back through Downtown. There are sidewalks. The walk is family and pet friendly, but keep in mind that pets need to be kept on a leash in Alexandria.
Getting there: The walk starts at Big Ole Park on the lakefront of Lake Agnes just past downtown Alexandria. If arriving from out of town, take exit 103 off I94, and continue down Broadway until you arrive at Big Ole Park. Approx 3.5 miles.
What you’ll see: You’ll walk through downtown Alexandria and through the old neighborhoods of Alexandria. The history of several of the homes are listed on the map below. You’ll finish by walking down Fillmore Street which passes nearby the Veterans memorial. This will be worth a quick detour to take a look.
Link to the map: To Download this map CLICK HERE.
Credit: This walk was developed by Active Living Douglas County. Additional walks and resources can be found HERE.
