Shakopee Snapshot: Winter 2025

PARKS & RECREATION

Check out Shakopee’s outdoor ice rinks

With any luck, winter will grace us with its presence this year so out door enthusiasts can enjoy one of Shakopee’s outdoor ice rinks. Historically, the rinks are open by mid-December, but warm weather the last couple of years has made it more difficult for ice to remain intact. Once the weather allows for it, the rinks will open in the following locations: ■ Green Meadows Park: 3100 Thrush St. ■ Westminster Park: 801 Valley View Drive E. ■ Southbridge Community Park: 7101 Southbridge Parkway ■ Lions Park: 1103 Adams St. The outdoor rinks are completely free for anyone to use and will remain open if the temperature is above -10 degrees or the windchill above -15 degrees. Rink lights are available between 4 and 10 p.m. All outdoor rinks have warming houses except for Lions Park. Warm ing house availability and hours are dependent on staffing levels. Skate rentals are not available at outdoor rinks, so don’t forget to bring a pair of skates!

Rink lights are available at all outdoor rinks after 4 p.m.

Shakopee high schoolers engineer the fun at upcoming Pop-Up Putt & Play 18 mini golf holes are designed, constructed by students

Get ready to tee off indoors this winter! Shakopee Parks and Recre ation is hosting its fifth annual Pop Up Putt & Play in the Community Center gym this January, offering a family-friendly mini golf experi ence with a creative twist. This year’s course will feature a Harry Potter theme with hole designs crafted by Shakopee High School engineering students in the Cen ter for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS) program. The students have taken on the challenge of designing and constructing each hole as part of a hands-on class project. To build the mini golf course, students are tasked with creating durable, transportable, and replayable mini golf holes that fit within assigned spaces, include unique interactive elements, and keep the ball contained during play. As part of their project, the students will also attend and operate their holes during the event, helping to guide players, showcasing their designs, and ensuring everyone has a great experience. Shakopee High School senior AJ Mercer said he’s been enjoying the project and is looking forward to watching it come to life as January approaches. “I am excited about helping the community and creating something that kids and parents enjoy together,” Mercer said. Each hole will have its own creative name, along with a photo and short bio about the student team behind it. The community is invited to come play and see the students’ engineer ing creativity in action! Bring your friends and family, and enjoy a round of mini golf unlike any other, designed and built right here in Shakopee. Register at ShakopeeMN.gov/registration .

Come fore the fun of it! $2 per person Register at ShakopeeMN.gov/registration FRIDAY, JAN. 16 Sensory Friendly Hours: 3–5 p.m. All Ages: 5:30–8:30 p.m. SATURDAY, JAN. 17 All Ages: 9 a.m.–Noon

From left, Shakopee High School students Kwasi Yeboah Odeng, Alex Magin, and AJ Mercer make their pitch for a mini golf hole design to Shakopee Parks and Rec staff.

8 Shakopee Snapshot