Improving Community Health & Wellness
One Step at a Time
Built in 2019 and as one response to trends and concerns surfaced in our Community Health Needs Assessment, Prairie Trail is a multi-surface path around our Glencoe campus available during three seasons. It’s a foundation on which we can build opportunities for our community to connect, decompress, and get physically fit.
Prairie Trail helps us support behavioral choices related to physical activity and outdoor movement, beyond the walls of the hospital, which can help combat trends around obesity and mental health.
Funded in part by Glencoe Regional Health Foundation, Prairie Trail is a safe, free space to stay active outdoors and unwind in a peaceful setting. It can also be a social space where we host events that bring people together for movement, celebration, and connection. Prairie Trail has become a beloved community asset and is available to GRH patients and visitors, residents of GlenFields Living with Care, tenants at Orchard Estates, staff, and members of our entire community.
A Path for Everyone
The variety of path lengths offers something for everyone – whether you’re looking for a short stroll, a brisk walk or jog, or even a bike ride. Convenient, shorter loops are ideal for GlenFields residents and their families, employees on a break, and community members who enjoy taking the scenic route. The longer routes work well for residents who like the wind in their face during a ride on our Trishaw Bike.
Trail Location & Map
Public parking is available on the north side of the Hennepin Avenue parking lot; look for the orange D icon on the map below.
Map and Directions
Click on the map to open and download image in a new browser window.
Prairie Trail Features
Free Little Library
Take a book, share a book. We’re part of the Little Free Library global network. Little Free Libraries build community, inspire readers, and expand book access for all through book-exchange boxes that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through the Little Free Libraries, millions of books are shared each year!
Benches
Benches for rest and reflection are located in key areas along the path, so visitors may sit for quiet and meaningful contemplation.
Monarch Waystation
The Monarch Waystation, or butterfly garden, is a garden and protected habitat for monarch butterflies and other pollinators. It provides the resources necessary for monarchs to survive and sustain their migration through the specialized mix of flowers and plants. Local school groups and organizations are welcome to contact Denise Lemke at 320-864-7703 to arrange a visit and experience this special space.
Get involved! Volunteer to help water and weed the butterfly garden!
Helping Hands Garden
Our wheelchair-accessible, raised garden boxes offer the opportunity to get your hands dirty, connect, and grow fresh fruits and vegetables used in GlenFields for snacks and special meals. We spend time with residents who are interested in gardening, and we assist them in growing and caring for their plants.
Get involved! Volunteer to help plant, water, and weed the garden with our residents!
Future Features & Projects
We continue to explore possible additions to Prairie Trail, such as trees to provide shade, bike racks for visitors, a special space to remember loved ones, and more. These ideas will become possible through your generosity. Please contact us with questions and ideas, or learn more about how you can support Prairie Trail.
Events at Prairie Trail
We host community events at Prairie Trail throughout the year. To learn about upcoming events, please follow our Facebook page and sign up for Monthly Dose, our monthly email newsletter.
2023 Glencoe Days Fun Run & Walk
Scarecrow Stroll
