By Pete Caprenter
The seasons of Chester Park:
One of Minnesota's best cities is Duluth, two and a half hours north of the Twin Cities. Duluth rests on the shores of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Duluth is widely known as a beautiful toursit attraction mainly because of the many breathtaking views and natural beauty of its parks and wilderness. Chester Park is more than just a park, it offers something for everyone no matter the season.
Chester Park
One of Duluth’s original three parks (along with Lincoln and Zenith), Chester Park covers 108 acres of Duluth’s hillside, including 2.5 miles of hiking trail along Lower Chester (the area below Skyline Parkway), which is home to a pair of footbridges, several waterfalls, and a cauldron known as Devil’s Hole. Upper Chester includes more hiking trails, which become cross-country ski trails in the winter. The park also includes a small ski hill and three ski jumps over Chester Bowl.
Chester Who?
Many people in Duluth believe that Chester Park was named for Chester Congdon, the attorney who made a fortune in mining and built Glensheen, Duluth’s most famous house. They are mistaken. The park is named for Charles Chester, who homesteaded a property along the creek near what is now 5th Street, just east of 13th Avenue East, on May 31, 1856 (ruins of his home remain).
Duluth's parks system is one of the most extensive and well kept in the United States.
The City owns and maintains:
• 11,862 acres including the following special areas
• 129 municipal parks, playgrounds and public places
• 22 neighborhood community recreational centers
• 11 senior centers
• Two 27-hole golf courses
• Eight self-guided hiking trails
• 44 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails
• 45 miles of snowmobile trails
• Lake Superior Zoo
• Wade Municipal Stadium
• Swimming beach and indoor pool
• Nearly four miles of the Duluth Lakewalk
• An abundance of public gardens
• Seasonal campground