As Hutchinson grew, it took over what was once waving prairie grasses towered by oak trees. But a small protected remnant of original oak savanna can still be found in the northwest corner of the city.

Whether participating in the events or volunteering as a coach or trainer, the Hutchinson area Special Olympics has something to offer everyone.

Hutchinson has two skating facilities that keep buzzing with activity all year long. If skating isn’t your thing, the Rec Center sure will be.

Baseball and softball are a strong tradition in Hutchinson, which included sharing the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Association Tournament with Dassel in August and September 2005. It was the second state baseball tournament for Hutchinson, with 1994 being the first.

Whether your game involves a weighted ball or an inflatable ball, or maybe even no ball at all, Hutchinson has it covered with a variety of recreational activities.

Hutchinson’s high school and middle school house pools for year-round swimming, and the Hutchinson Rec Center has an outdoor pool to help take the heat out of summer.

Considering that the Hutchinson area is only about an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities, it has a surprising variety of fishing available to the eager angler. With the exception of muskies and trout, most of the desirable species anglers seek can be found within a 20-mile drive from Hutchinson. The following is a list of lakes and their most abundant fish.

1. Marion

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, the Hutchinson area has the golf course for you. You can play nine or 18, or just work on your swing at the driving range. The opportunities for golfers around town can’t be missed. Get out and play.

In the middle of tilled farmland and fields of corn and soybeans sits Schaefer Prairie, a reminder of what the southwestern part of the county looked like 200 years ago.

Amid the hustle and bustle of Hutchinson, a mass of geese, ducks, wild turkeys, swan and deer share a 25-acre home. The Gopher Campfire Club’s wildlife sanctuary sits along the north bank of the Crow River, between Riverside and Masonic/West River Parks.