Albert Lea in the spring

Published 3:34 pm Tuesday, June 21, 2016

By Ed Shannon

: Proof that warmer weather made the City Beach a very popular place for swimming, exercising and relaxing is emphasized with this 1960s photo. - Photos courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum

: A cement-lined wading pool provided area youngsters with a cool place to enjoy in the 1920s. This pool was located in Morin Park near the corner of West Main Street and St. Mary Avenue. Now, as an updated replacement, a splash pad is being proposed at the north end of Broadway Avenue. – Photos courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum

: Baseball was a very popular part of area outdoor activities back in the 1940s. This aerial view shows Albert Lea’s Hayek Feld while a game was taking place. Note all the cars parked around the West Clark Street site. – Photos courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum

: Proof that warmer weather made the City Beach a very popular place for swimming, exercising and relaxing is emphasized with this 1960s photo. – Photos courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum

: These young people took advantage of the springtime weather to enjoy golfing on a local course. – Photo courtesy of Freeborn County Historical Museum

: These young people took advantage of the springtime weather to enjoy golfing on a local course. – Photo courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum

: A Fountain Lake Bull Head Derby was held on May 20, 1950, in Fountain Lake. Two of the winners in this springtime event, in the foreground, are Glenn Graham and Carlyle Stanek. – Photo courtesy of Freeborn County Historical Museum

For the people of the Albert Lea area, the end of winter and the advent of spring provides many welcome opportunities to enjoy the various outdoor assets of the area. These assets include the lakes, parks, playgrounds, golf courses, skate parks, tennis and the newer pickleball courts, hiking trails and other warmer weather activities.

People of all ages have many choices when it comes to getting out of the house or apartment to take advantage of the much better weather conditions. Incidentally, two of the sometimes overlooked aspects of this spring season are reviving the lawns and/or gardens.