Ginny says she has lived in Burnsville for 27 years and didn’t know Earley Lake existed until she moved to Regent at Burnsville. Now she says she walks the Earley Lake Trail every day.
Fellow resident Dick uses his motorized chair to navigate the trail.
Marty and Karen, who live in independent living, estimate they walk the trail four times a week. Sometimes they circle the lake twice if they want more steps.
“For us, it’s nice to have that back there when we want to get out for a quick walk. It’s convenient to have that here,” says Marty.
He and Karen also walk around other lakes, such as Lake Harriet, or at the Mall of America.
Easy Access
Accessing the trail from Regent is so direct: a path around the building connects to the paved trail.
Residents can plan their walks while looking out the dining room windows at the lake, trail all year round and fountain during the warmer months.
The length of the trail seems to be just right.
“It’s 1.2 miles, which is a very good length for most residents,” says Sue Seykora, Regent’s director of sales and marketing. “Most trails around lakes in this area are three or more miles long. For many of our residents, this is very manageable.”
Socializing with guests or other people walking on the trail adds to the enjoyment, Ginny says.
People, Pets and More
Dick especially likes talking to people with dogs.
“I really enjoy seeing all the dogs. A lot of people are very gracious to stop and visit about their dogs,” he says. “Dogs have been a big part of my life.”
In addition to dogs, residents have seen albino squirrels, blue herons, trumpeter swans, ducks, geese and deer.
“I had a big experience when I was out on my motorized chair,” Dick says. “Out popped a doe. A few moments later, there was a doggone fawn and, bang, they were gone. Other people pointed out they were swimming across the lake. I decided I was going to sit there and watch.”
Residents also appreciate the variety of views they see on the trail. From Regent, it starts in a wooded area, crosses a bridge, weaves through Day Park and meanders around the rest of the lake. It passes a variety of homes along the way.
Ginny says she is glad that she found Earley Lake and Regent after a friend who lived there recommended it.
“I thought if he liked it, I would like it, too,” she says. “I like to be outside. This is a wonderful place.”
