2011 Community Profile - Chamber Organizer

8
reCreation and festivals
Industry and consumer demands
for high-quality products have
led our region and the agriculture
industry into the technology age.
Local farm operations are using
satellites and other forms of
technology to gather data so that
wise input decisions are made
before any planting is done. This
assures a higher likelihood of
meeting industry demands by
making sure the best seeds are
planted to achieve a superlative end
product.
Agriculture is not just about
farming anymore, though. The
Grand Forks region is home to the
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Human Nutrition Research Center,
a world leader in mineral nutrition
research for more than 20 years.
The University of North Dakota
also houses the Upper Midwest
Aerospace Consortium (UMAC),
whose Crop and Range Alert System
promotes the use of geo-spatial
technologies that improve economic
competitiveness in the region
while also providing environmental
benefits.
The Grand Forks/East Grand Forks
community is also the birthplace of
the nation’s first sugar beet farming
cooperative. American Crystal Sugar,
owned by 2,900 shareholders who
raise 500,000 acres of sugar beets,
is the nation’s largest producer of
beet sugar. The vote by cooperative
members to purchase the company
was made at a meeting held in
Grand Forks in 1973.
somethinG for everyone
Grand Forks and East Grand Forks
provide an abundance of activities
for everyone in the family during
any season. We are lucky to have
four distinct seasons and are able
to take advantage of the many
recreational and sporting events
each season brings.
In the winter, families enjoy
snowmobiling, hockey and crosscountry
skiing; in the summer, they
participate in fishing, biking and
swimming. Giving the family an
opportunity to cheer the home team
to victory, the University of North
Dakota offers a variety of sports,
including several teams that hold
national championship titles. A
variety of high school and youth
sports are available as well.
We invite you to relax by enjoying
one of our many parks, taking
a walk or riding your bike on
interesting paths, taking in one
of many annual communitywide
events in the Grand
Cities, or playing on one of our
scenic golf courses.
System-wide, there is an
array of opportunities for
adults and kids to participate
in sports. The two communities
offer hockey, baseball, tennis,
soccer, football, curling and
many other activities.
Our communities enjoy well
over 50 parks and recreational
facilities, including indoor and
outdoor skating rinks in both
Grand Forks and East Grand
Forks, an indoor playground
in Grand Forks, and tennis
courts and ball fields in both
communities. Many of the
parks have warming houses,
restroom facilities and
playground equipment.
“Our communities enjoy
over 50 parks and
recreational facilities.”
the Greenway
One of the newest recreational additions to the
communities of Grand Forks and East Grand Forks is the
Greenway. Located along the Red and Red Lake Rivers, the
Greenway encompasses almost 2,200 acres of open space
and offers year-round recreational activities, including
boating, golf, cross country skiing and birding.
An integral part of a comprehensive flood-protection
project, the Greenway also offers over 20 miles of
asphalt trails connected by two non-motorized bridges.
A campground, located in downtown East Grand Forks
features 98 campsites including 48 electric sites with
full service hookups (sewer and water). Set in an urban
area, the campground is within walking distance to many
outdoor recreational opportunities as well as shopping,
entertainment and dining facilities.
The Greenway is 365 days of the year and is home to
many annual events and festivals.
R alph E ngelstad A rena
The world-class Ralph Engelstad Arena is
described by many as the “finest facility of its
kind in the world,” and is the home of the
Fighting Sioux. The 400,000 square foot arena
boasts granite floors, leather seats and the
longest freestanding bars in North Dakota.
Tours are available Monday through Friday at 1:30 PM.
For reservations and directions call 701.777.6636.
www.theralph.com