The Carver Lake Park Off-Road Cycling Trail is located in the southwest corner of Woodbury, MN. The trail was built by the city with the help of the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists (www.morcmtb.org) and opened the Summer of 2011.
Directions
From the I-494 and I-94 interchange: Head south on I-494 and take the Lake Road Exit. Take a right onto Lake Road headed east. Continue on Lake Road until you get to Courtly Road. Take a right on Courtly Road. Continue on Courtly until you come to a stop sign and Century Ave. Take a left on Century Ave. Continue on Century Ave. up a small hill and the park entrance will be on your left. The park entrance road will take you into the park. Parking is available for off-road cyclists in the main, large, lower level parking lot. The trail head is located on the west end of the parking lot.
From Bloomington: Take I-494 east towards Woodbury. Take a right onto Lake Road headed east. Continue on Lake Road until you get to Courtly Road. Take a right on Courtly Road. Continue on Courtly until you come to a stop sign and Century Ave. Take a left on Century Ave. Continue on Century Ave. up a small hill and the park entrance will be on your left. The park entrance road will take you into the park. Parking is available for off-road cyclists in the main, large, lower level parking lot. The trail head is located on the west end of the parking lot. Please do not parking in the small archery range parking lot. GPS Position: 92°58'45"W, 44°54'11"N (-92.979422, 44.903117)
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=3175+Century+Ave+S,+Woodbury,+MN+55125&hl=en&sll=37.160317,-95.712891&sspn=49.583772,78.662109&t=h&z=16
Carver Lake Park has just under 6 miles of intermediate level single-track trails with technical trail features sprinkled throughout the trail system. There are also a couple advanced trail loops that will challenge the most talented riders. Beginners to advanced riders will all have a great time riding this wonderful trail.
The terrain has a steep side slope in a several sections of the park allowing for a nice rolling flow to the trail. Other sections of the park are more flat with turns and open sky above. The trail has loops allowing riders to ride a section more than once in a row or the whole system as one big loop. The trail will offer great views of Carver Lake and take you deep into the wooded areas of the park. The trail also passes an open field and a large nursery plot.
Other park amenities include: Swimming Beach, Bathrooms, Picnic Shelter, Volleyball Courts, Playground, Archery Range, Fishing Pier, Paved Bike Paths and a 150 space paved parking lot.
Park History
Camp Owendigo was built in 1937 at Carver Lake Park but at the time the park name did not exist. The camp was owned, and operated by an organization called "Neighborhood House." Funds were provided through camp usage or revenue collected from activities including retreats, weekend events, day camps, and use of the property for other events. Camp Owendigo provided the solace for a good time. Its natural splendor was an encouragement for Spiritual Growth. The camp was surrounded with much natural beauty, with all the trees, the flourishing vegetation, and with back drop of the gorgeous lake, it was perfect for quiet.Throughout the camp's history, Owendigo had provided fun, adventure, excitement, and enjoyment for it's thousands of happy visitors. Kids from all ages have enjoyed many of its splendors. The lake was a constant source for many activities. Kids would have the opportunity to swim, canoe, and enjoy many other aquatic activities. At the same time, some of them would be learning how to hone their skills in the area of archery. Some may spend time learning crafts, or other fun activities. Financially, its income was based on the event the camp was sponsoring at that time, and what that particular event charged. Other funds were subsidized through the United Way program. The first test of its financial stability was put to test on September 9th, 1953 when a fire broke out, and burned down the original lodge. A new one was built in the spring of 1954As its history un-folded, so began a unique quandary. The camp and park was surrounded by development-rich real estate. Land around Owendigo was being snatched up by the acre. The town of Woodbury itself was growing geometrically. By the late sixties, the land on the opposite shore was riddled with single dwelling homes. As the sixties gave way to the seventies, it was apparent the camp was in trouble. Not by choice, or cause of it's own, but by it's location. It was too close to a city....A city growing fast. Then in 1973, a study was done to determine the viability of the camp, and possible solutions to this problem. It was determined the camp could stay open, however, due to it's increasing operating costs, The camp sold 2 acres of it's property to a housing developer. The land was ultimately used to build town houses. In the late seventies, the camp was being compressed from all sides... New housing projects were popping up all around Owendigo. At the same time, additional funding was becoming scarce....The camp was slowly dying..... It was only a matter of time.Then in 1985, due to insufficient funds, and mounting operating costs, it was determined it was in the camp's best interest to close.In so, lawyers from both sides would argue. The Owners would speak of the benefits of the camp, on the other side; the real-estate community was breathing down there neck. Owendigo met with the others fate in April 1987. During a transition phase, beginning in the spring of 1988, the camp was converted to a city park operated by the City of Woodbury. An open-air picnic area sits quietly by itself, close to where the lodge once occupied. A large parking lot has replaced the area where Chapel once stood. The three building's that stood next to the Chapel are long gone, camouflaged eloquently, through a myriad of trees, as though they never existed. Where the cabins once stood, by the lake, there is now a beach house, and a swimming area.
Present day park amenities include: Paved Bike Paths, Off-road Cycling Trail, Swimming Beach, Bathrooms, Picnic Shelter, Volleyball Courts, Playground, Archery Range, Fishing Pier, 150 Space Parking Lot.
The park is maintained by the City of Woodbury, Parks and Recreation Department. Several recreation programs take place at Carver Lake Park throughout the year. The Minnesota Off-Road Cyclist help maintain the off-road cycling trail at Carver Lake Park.
Local Bike Shops
Penn Cycle 6415 Lake Road Terrace
Woodbury, MN 55125
651-731-9458
Erik’s Bike Shop1825 Radio Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125
651-259-4600
Restaurants
Woodbury Tavern
772 Bielenberg Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125
651-578-3000
Axel’s Bonfire1424 Weir Dr.
Woodbury, MN 55125
651-735-0085
Milio’s Sub Shop
6445 Lake Road Terrace
Woodbury, MN 55125
651-340-0873
Liquor Store
Haskell’s Liquor Store
6445 Lake Road Ter Ste 200
Woodbury, MN 55125
651-714-4188
Area Events
Woodbury Parks and Recreation host seasonal events throughout the year. For more information on Woodbury Parks and Recreation click here: http://ci.woodbury.mn.us/recreation-department
Woodbury Days is held the last weekend in August every year. For more information click here: http://woodburydays.com/
