For those in Bloomington who revel in the crisp embrace of winter, Brookside Park is gearing up for what it's describing as a "sledstravaganza." With a generous hill that welcomes sliders of all stripes—be it on sleds, tubes, or toboggans—the park is setting the stage for family-friendly fun, complete with the quintessential winter treat of s'mores and the warm glow of campfires. However, should you fancy a bobsled run, you'll need to look elsewhere; they're taking a strict no-bobsled stance here.
The sledding parties are slated for two Thursday afternoons, mere days apart from the usual humdrum of the workweek, on January 18 and February 22, from 1 to 3 p.m. While they sure sound like the perfect cure for the midwinter blues, these events come with a caveat: snow, or rather, the absence of it, can put a damper on these festivities. In proper Minnesota fashion, organizers advise checking in at blm.mn/winterfete for any news of cancellations or schedule changes as the dates approach. The unpredictable whims of nature might just necessitate a last-minute pivot.
For the uninitiated, Brookside Park sits at the heart of 10000 Xerxes Ave. S., and has established itself as a go-to locale for winter sports enthusiasts of the sledding variety. This event, run by Bloomington Parks and Recreation Youth and Family programs, isn't just a nod to the joyous abandon of barreling down snow-packed slopes, it's a communal gathering meant to stoke the flames of neighborhood camaraderie, toasted marshmallows and all.
Given the vagaries of winter weather—and let's be real, predicting snowfall is akin to forecasting the whims of a cat—stay updated to avoid hauling your sled out only to be greeted by a hill more suited for a stroll than a thrilling slide. Hopeful attendees should have their snow gear at the ready but also their browsers tuned to the aforementioned link for any sudden shifts in planning.
