Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: Scene

Media Credit: Patti Gunderson Mt. Simon Park attracts students for boating, swimming, Frisbee golf and volleyball.

Campus usually comes to life as the weather warms up, with many students covering the once-empty grass fields of the Campus Mall. Some students throw Frisbees, some use the time to study and others just bask in the sunlight.

But campus isn't the only place where students can enjoy the weather.

With at least eight parks in Eau Claire, according the Eau Claire Parks and Recreation Web site, students have many options to choose from for their outdoor activities.



Carson Park

Carson Park is by far the largest park in Eau Claire. This 132-acre area has a lot to offer, according to the Eau Claire city Web site. It is located on Half Moon Lake and has plenty of trails with scenic views.

The park's amenities include a baseball stadium, two softball diamonds, three lighted tennis courts, 18 lighted horseshoe courts, three museums, four pavilions and a fishing pier, according to the Web site.

Carson Park is also home to the football stadium used by UW-Eau Claire's very own Blugolds.



Owen Park

This 11-acre park borders the Chippewa River on First Avenue between Lake and Water streets. The park has a bandshell, a children's playground and two lighted tennis courts.

Junior Elisabeth Sacia said she is a frequent user of the tennis courts at Owen Park.

"The tennis courts are lit both at Owen and at Carson Park, which really helps because I like to play in the evening after school," Sacia said. "Plus, I live right by there, so it's really nice for college students."

Sacia also said she enjoys playing at Owen Park because it offers a straightforward environment.

"I definitely prefer Owen because just the way it's set up, there aren't any distractions," she said, explaining the abundance of activity at Carson Park can act as a diversion.

Mt. Simon Park

Located on Dells Pond, you can access this 49-acre park from Madison Street or Birch Street. The park has a boat landing and dock, two pavilions, two lighted sand volleyball courts and a Frisbee golf course.

Senior Brian Schwartz said he really enjoys Frisbee golfing and has played on Mt. Simon's Frisbee golf course many times.

Frisbee golf is a way to get outside to enjoy the weather and scenery, Schwartz said.

He said he has also played Frisbee golf at Tower Ridge, a park a little farther away.

"(Mt. Simon) is more of a city park," he said. "The Tower Ridge course is more challenging."

Despite the fact that Mt. Simon only has nine holes, compared to Tower Ridge's two 18-hole courses, the location makes it all the more worth it, he said.

"It's the drive that gets me," Schwartz said.



Riverview Park & Island

Riverview Park & Island is no different than most other Eau Claire parks - it's connected to a body of water.

This 33-acre park is located on the Chippewa River with access from Riverview Drive The park has three pavilions and a large boat landing.

Phil Fieber, director of Eau Claire Parks and Recreation, said people often use the picnic tables there, adding that given the boat landing, it's a popular area for fishing.

Senior Dan Platta said he likes to go fishing whenever he can get a little free time.

"We live in Wisconsin, so there are lakes everywhere, and fishing is a prominent resource - there's always somewhere to do it," he said.

However, because many college students don't have access to boats, fishing from the shoreline is the way to go, he said.

That's the idea behind the fishing tournament the Rod & Gun Club is sponsoring this weekend.

The club recognized that there are many students on campus who enjoy fishing and tried to combine that with the great opportunities offered by the Chippewa River, Platta said.

The tournament is different from others because fishers normally compete from their boats, but fishing in this tournament is done strictly from the shore, he said.

"It makes it interesting because I don't think there's any other tournaments like that," Platta said. "We try to accommodate the college students."

Accordingly, the club has named the fishing tournament "War from the Shore," he said.



Rod & Gun Park

A 12-acre area located on Half Moon Lake off of Clairemont Avenue, this park sports a pavilion, a sand volleyball court and several ponds and streams.

Schwartz said he has been to Rod & Gun Park and said the scenery is its main attraction, adding he enjoys just walking around the park.

"There's a playground, picnic area, a nice set of man-made waterfalls - (it's) nice to look at," Schwartz said.

Fairfax Park

Fairfax Park is a 75-acre park located on the south side of Eau Claire, with accomodations including a baseball field, two Little League fields and walking trails. It can be accessed from either Golf Road or Fairfax Street. And, being the only park not connected to a body of water, it is equipped with an outdoor pool.

The pool area includes a 50-meter swimming area, a 22-foot-high waterslide, diving boards and a "raindrop," according to the Web site. There is also a volleyball court, concessions and a pavilion.

The pool season begins June 2. The cost is $3.25 per person.



Whether you're interested in volleyball, fishing or another activity, one thing is certain - Eau Claire probably has a park for it.

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