Polk County Public Health, the Polk County Wellness Coalition, and community partners and volunteers are continuing to host February Fitness Fever events this Sunday, February 19. Outdoor family activities across Polk County will be offered every Sunday in February and are free for the entire region.
For this Sunday’s event, the City of Crookston will offer free ice skating at the Crookston Sports Center. “We’re really excited to work with the City of Crookston, who helps put that on at the Crookston Sports Center, which will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. We will have a variety of skates available that people can come, try on, and use to skate for the first time or come out for the season if they’ve been out before,” Polk County Wellness Coordinator Amanda Lien explained. “Also, the Fosston Outdoor Ice Rink will also have free ice skates available, and they are open from 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. all day on Sunday. Also, the City of East Grand Forks Parks and Recreation will sponsor an open free skating from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. at the East Grand Forks Civic Center.” However, the East Grand Forks Civic Center will not provide free skates.
Along with ice skating at these venues, other amenities at the Crookston Sports Center and Fosston Outdoor Rink will be available for people to enjoy and can sign up for future events. “We’re really promoting the Sports Center in Crookston as they have a wonderful walking track that the community can use. I mentioned curling or even coming out and checking out a game or figure skating show coming out,” Lien explained. “Same with Fosston, they have some great amenities out by their Outdoor Rink, which is located near the Softball Complex on the Northeast end of town, which is also near the Fit Trail. East Grand Forks has the Civic Center and the Greenway. We’re really trying to promote some of the amenities we have around Polk County.”
On the final Sunday of the month, February 26, Public Health is partnering with the Crookston Pickleball Club to offer a day of Pickleball at the University of Minnesota Crookston Wellness Center. All skill levels and beginners are welcome to join to learn how to play and have fun.
Children and adults of all ages and skill levels are welcome and encouraged to attend these free fitness events. “We’re trying to promote the message that you can be active all year round and, in the wintertime, you should come out and try something new. Whether you’ve ice-skated before or haven’t, I know there’s curling in Crookston and maybe some of the other communities,” Lien explained. “Pickleball is going to be new. We’ve done ice fishing in the past and had taekwondo and indoor fitness classes. Our goal is to continue to promote year-round physical activity, which is great for our physical health, as well as our mental well-being and our social connection.” Also, it is recommended to dress in layers for all outdoor activities!
The Polk County Wellness Coalition wants to thank its many volunteers and partners who collaborate with them to put healthy choices within reach. Events may be rescheduled depending on weather conditions. Tri-Valley Transportation is also available to transport anyone to the Crookston events on Sunday and next week. For more information and resources on where and how to stay active in your community, contact Amanda Lien at 218-281-3385. Stay tuned to KROX and the Polk County Wellness Coalition’s social media for any updates or changes to the events at https://www.facebook.com/polkcountypublichealth.
