There’s is something to be said about the parks in Eden Prairie – likely my favorite in the whole state. And Staring Lake Park off Pioneer Trail ranks right up there. From walking, hiking, ski and bike trails, athletic fields, courts, courses to archery ranges, concerts, fishing piers and an off-leash dog exercise area, I can promise it offers something for everyone. Even in the winter; Staring Lake has sledding hills and ski trails with a warming house. The very best part? Thanks to the Minnesota Astronomical Society, the Staring Lake Observatory (across the lake from the park) is now home to a 9-foot tall, 16-inch Cassegrain telescope, one of the largest in the state of Minnesota.  Since its not open to the public, you can see it if you sign up for a class, taught by none other than Mike Lynch from WCCO Radio who happens to be the new lead astronomer there.