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MINERAL SPRINGS PARK - 48 acres
Mineral Springs Park, the most well known of Owatonna parks, came into being both as a resort area and a business venture. About 1875 the Owatonna Mineral Springs Company was organized. This company secured the services of an expert chemist, Professor Eno Sanders, who analyzed the spring waters, and pronounced them very similar to those of the famed Vichy Springs in the Ardennes of France.
The Mineral Spring water was served for many years in dining cars of the railroads. On July 3, 1877, the City of Owatonna purchased a tract of land for the purchase price of $2,000, and on July 14, 1877, purchased another piece for $1,000. The final addition to the park came on October 24, 1935 when the city purchased, for $800, the rest of the property.
Special features of the park include the Princess Owatonna statue which dates back to the early 1930's, with a restoration of the statue having taken place in 1986. However, Princess Owatonna was continuing to age to a point where she could no longer withstand plastic surgery (cement work). She has been sent to St. Paul, where a rubber mold of the existing statue will be made, and restore a few details, such as her headband, which had weathered away.
The park also contains a "car wash", which is a hard surfaced area in the stream bed of Maple Creek specifically constructed for the purpose of washing vehicles. The early 1970's saw the construction of the water fall which was a gift from Reuben A. Kaplan, and the construction of the present restroom facility.
In 1993, Dr. Arnold Carver donated approximately 10 acres of land which abutted the north boundary of the park. This generous donation will assist in developing more of a trail corridor adjacent Maple Creek.
The city invested $70,000 in 1998 to build a new playground and parking lot. Also, a segment of the Buxton Trail was completed.
Amenities:
Two picnic shelters, one with grills and electricity, capacities of 144 and 24
Play apparatus
Horseshoe courts
Sand volleyball court
Picnic sites
Restrooms
Parking lots
Access Points: Cherry Street and Mineral Spring Pkwy.
The cache is located near the Princess. Use the bridge to cross Maple Creek, and climb the hill. The cache is hidden in typical "kingboreas" fashion.
Container: Orange Tupperware Canister
Contents:
McDonald's Bionicle Lego Toy
Stuffed Critter
Wind-Up Toy
Mini Skateboard
3 Prehistoric Creatures
"Ugly" Teeth
Alien