Winter Play Day 2026
February 21, 2026
Embrace winter during Winter Play Day at locations throughout Three Rivers Park District!
Check out the full lineup of events, including free or discounted activities:
- Free exploration and recreation activities at a variety of parks
- A festival at Hyland Lake Park Reserve
- Free activity passes for dog off-leash areas, cross-country ski trails and archery areas
- Free rentals on cross-country skis, snowshoes and kicksleds
- Discounted rates on tubing, downhill skiing and snowboarding at Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area and Hyland Hills Ski Area
2026 Winter Play Day Festival
Winter Play Day Festival
11 AM–3:30 PM
Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Join us at Hyland Lake Park Reserve for a fun filled winter festival! Enjoy a variety of free outdoor activities and adventures designed for kids—and kids at heart.
Come play, explore and embrace the magic of the great outdoors!
View last year's interactive map.
Activities and Events
- Winter Recreation Activities
Make the most of the colder months (and maybe find your next hobby) by trying a new winter recreation activity with:
- Free cross-country skiing
- Free snowshoeing and kicksledding
- Free mini classic-style cross-country ski lessons
- Snow Mountain play area
*Dependent on weather conditions
Give kicksledding a try during the festival. - Demonstrations and Self-Exploration Activities
Embrace the magic of winter with exciting demonstrations and playful activities for the whole family:
- Winter hayrides
- Interactive Winter Wonder Walk
- Nature education with hands-on activities
- Snowmaking demonstrations with snow maintenance gear on display
Take a winter hayride, pulled by a snow maintenance vehicle. - Food & Drink Options
Warm up and refuel with cozy winter treats and beverages, including:
- Fire pits with marshmallow roasting
- Festival food, beer & warm beverages from local food trucks
- Community, Music & More
Make your winter visit complete with festive extras from the local community:
- Winter yoga
- Live music from local musicians
- Local community partners and vendors
- Ice sculpture demonstrations by local artist John Njoes
Check out ice sculpture demonstrations by a local artist.
Festival Schedule
Most festival activities run throughout the day. Below are scheduled events:
- 11 AM – Festival begins
- 11:30 AM–12:30 PM – Live music with Michael Handler at Midsummer Stage
- 12:30 PM – Snowmaking demonstration #1
- 12:45 PM – Winter yoga with Julia Andrighetti at Midsummer Stage
- 1:15–2:15 PM – Live music with the Power of 10 Quartet at Midsummer Stage
- 2:15 PM – Snowmaking demonstration #2
- 3:30 PM – Festival ends; free skiing and ski rentals continue
- 7 PM – Final rentals from Hyland Visitor Center
- 8 PM – Hyland Visitor Center closes
Winter Activities Throughout the Parks
Whether you're new to the parks or a regular visitor, grab your family and friends to enjoy a day of free winter nature activities at select parks and nature centers.
Winter Play Day is the perfect way to get outside and try something new! Activities run from 10 AM–3 PM, unless otherwise noted.
For winter recreation activities, check the trail conditions before you head out.
- Discounts on Winter Activities
Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area
After 3 PM, get $5 off tubing or discounted lift tickets for snowboarding and skiing!
- Tubing is subject to availability.
- Snowboard and downhill ski rentals are first-come, first-served.
Hyland Hills Ski Area
After 3 PM, get discounted lift tickets for snowboarding and skiing!
- Snowboard and downhill ski rentals are first-come, first-served.
- Free Winter Recreation Passes & Rentals
Free Day Access for Cross-Country Ski Trails
On February 21, get your free day pass online to explore cross-country ski trails at the parks below!
These activities are dependent on snow coverage. Don't forget to check trail conditions before you head out.
- Baker Park Reserve
- Carver Park Reserve
- Cleary Lake Regional Park
- Eagle Lake Regional Park – Winter Trailhead
- Elm Creek Park Reserve
- French Regional Park
- Glen Lake Winter Trailhead
- Hyland Lake Park Reserve
- Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve
Free Winter Recreation Rentals
Free Cross-Country Ski Rentals
Try something new during Winter Play Day with free cross-country ski rentals at select parks!
The following parks will have ski rentals available. Parks requiring rental reservations are marked accordingly, and you can book your slot starting on Saturday, February 14.
- Baker Park Reserve
- Carver Park Reserve
- Cleary Lake Regional Park
- Elm Creek Park Reserve (reservations required)
- French Regional Park
- Glen Lake Winter Trailhead
- Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Free Kicksled Rentals
Glide through the winter wonderland with free kicksled rentals at these parks:
- Carver Park Reserve – Lowry Nature Center (from 10 AM–3 PM)
- Hyland Lake Park Reserve – Richardson Nature Center
Free Snowshoe Rentals
Explore a variety of snowy trails with complimentary snowshoe rentals.
Most parks will have ski rentals available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parks requiring rental reservations are marked accordingly, and you can book your slot starting on Saturday, February 14.
- Free Archery Passes
Give archery a try, with no cost or commitment, using a free day pass at:
- Free Dog Off-Leash Passes
Bring your dog to frolic through the snow with free access to our dog off-leash areas for the day:
- Bryant Lake Regional Park – Dog Off-Leash Area
- Carver Park Reserve – Dog Off-Leash Area
- Cleary Lake Regional Park – Dog Off-Leash Area
- Crow-Hassan Park Reserve – Dog Off-Leash Area
- Elm Creek Park Reserve – Dog Off-Leash Area
- Fish Lake Regional Park – Dog Off-Leash Area
- Lake Rebecca Park Reserve – Lake Sarah Dog Off-Leash Area
- Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve – Dog Off-Leash Area
- Spring Lake Regional Park – Dog Off-Leash Area
- Explore the Parks
Eastman Nature Center
Enjoy a winter woods scavenger hunt and hidden animal challenge while snowshoeing or walking the trails.
Gale Woods Farm
Warm up by the bonfire and sip on free hot apple cider from Gale Woods Farm all day.
Lowry Nature Center
Visit the Nature Center and enjoy a winter scavenger hunt, then take a spin on the kicksled rink from 10 AM–3 PM.
Mississippi Gateway
Pick up a self-guided winter scavenger hunt at the welcome desk or rental room, then warm up by a bonfire outside the Gateway Center by the lower entrance from 1–3 PM.
Richardson Nature Center
Borrow a downhill sled, kicksled or pair of snowshoes for free, then gather by a bonfire to warm up.
Silverwood Park
Take a self-guided scavenger hunt, designed to help you explore the trails, artwork and winter beauty of the park at your own pace.
After your outdoor adventure, come inside to warm up and browse our community puzzle swap from 3–5 PM. You can bring a puzzle to swap or simply pick out something new to enjoy during puzzle season.
Volunteers play a key role in making Winter Play Day fun, accessible and welcoming for all!
We are looking for volunteers across participating parks, including:
- Greeters, fire tenders, rental assistants, activity monitors and event set-up and clean-up assistants
- Registered Park Patrollers (must have completed the necessary training)
- Individuals with cross-country skiing experience
Volunteers are needed from 9 AM–4 PM in shifts ranging from one hour to all day. Most roles not requiring prior training.
For questions, call 763-559-6706 or email Volunteer@ThreeRiversParks.org.
Winter Play Day In Action
Share Your Play Day Fun with Us
Related Blog Posts
We've compiled a list of our 7 favorite activities to help you embrace winter this season. Some of them might be things you've already done before, but a few of them might be new activities you want to try!
Looking for a trail to get started cross-country skiing or preparing for the Nordic Ski Opener? Check out this post from the archive to find our favorite cross-country ski trails in Three Rivers.
Learn more about the top 10 places to snowshoe in Three Rivers and explore some trails near you to explore this winter.
