Review: Long Lake Park's Running Paths: New Brighton Minnesota

New Brighton is a suburb located northeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The suburb is home to approximately 22,000 residents. Long Lake Park, a regional park located within the city, offers the city's only running paths.

Long Lake Park is accessible via two park entrances. Visitors coming from the south (via I-694) can enter the park at the intersection of Long Lake Road and Beach Road. Or, if you're coming from the east, enter Long Lake Park via Old Highway 8 and follow the signs. Both entrances have plenty of free parking.

All of Long Lake Park's trails are paved and can be used by runners, walkers, rollerbladers and bikers. There are no separate trails for running/walking, so always be aware of your surroundings. The trails wind through the park, going through nature preserves, a public beach and secluded wooded areas. Part of the trail also runs alongside an old railroad--you can still see old train cars sitting on the tracks. The trail is approximately three miles in length, but it does not go in a full circle. The Long Lake Park running trail connects with the Rice Creek West regional trail system at the north end of the trail, leading into Fridley, a neighboring suburb. Runners needing hill work rejoice--hilly terrain encompasses most of the park. Once you finish one hill climb, you'll see another hilly area several yards ahead of you. Drinking fountains and restrooms are available in the main park area, near the beach.

Long Lake Park is a summer weekend hotspot for locals and the park gets very busy on nice summer days and early evenings. When running on a trail near the lakeside, don't be disturbed by noises in the bushes--chances are, it's probably just a fisherman. New Brighton's Stockyard Days celebration is held at Long Lake Park each year in early August. A vendor and craft fair, amusement park rides, bounce houses and a bandstand are set up in the park. Some of these facilities block the trail. Because of the sheer amount of visitors at Long Lake Park during this time, runners might want to hit the indoor gym.

The park is open year-round, however, the trails are not shoveled once the snow falls. Park buildings and restrooms are open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Leashed dogs are allowed in the park, so bring Fido along for a run.