The Loppet Foundation provides a new freestanding gas stove to the Trailhead warming house at Theodore Wirth Park. Thanks to a generous donor, the community space in the Theodore Wirth warming house has a new freestanding gas stove to warm the toes of Nordic skiers in Minneapolis. A big renovation to the golf course at the Theodore Wirth park marked a significant transformation to the City of Lakes' urban oasis for cross country skiers.
The 14,000 square foot building and 6.5K of trails was developed by HGA Architects to provide the perfect training ground for Nordic skiers and mountain bikers of all levels. The day I visited there were visitors from surrounding states and local students skiing and biking on snowy groomed trails in this lovely woodland setting.
Theodore Wirth park is the host to a multitude of winter Nordic races but none so great as the Coop Fis World Cup Sprint Finals to take place in March of 2020. It will be the first time in twenty years that the race has been held on American soil.
The new Trail Head community building was designed in collaboration with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and The Loppet Foundation. As stewards of the Theodore Wirth Park, the Loppet Foundation provides underserved youth and outdoor enthusiasts with a series of programs, clubs and classes designed to build a year round community of active participants.
The Loppet Foundation is most known as the non profit responsible for the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival born in 2002 and inspired by Mayor R.T Rybak and Park Board commissioners Jon Olson and John Erwin.
The Trail Head project was developed from 5 Million dollars of private contributions. One individual donor came to the executive director, Bert Jackson, with a specific request. As the grandparent of a Nordic skier who participated in races in the park, he wanted to provide a warm gathering space in the Trailhead building.
The donation came with one requirement which was that the fireplace be safe for people who are sensitive to the smoke and soot that can be part of the wood burning experience. Armed with this generous donation and a strict stipulation, Bert came to All Seasons Fireplace. Our advice to Bert was to choose a freestanding gas stove.
EPA standards for wood burning products keep getting higher. Although most manufacturers test for and build to their own strict requirements, the EPA continues to push the industry forward by supporting research on emissions. You can read more about the history of emissions' testing and the new standards on this page.
Executive Director of the Loppet Foundation, Bert Jackson
Winter can be long in Minneapolis and the best way to deal with it is to get out and enjoy it. The Loppet Foundation is all about creating opportunities for the Minneapolis community to stay healthy and active throughout winter.
There is room for everyone at the Luminary Loppet event .
Die hard Nordic skiers prepare for months and pray for snow the minute the beaches close on Labor Day. You will find them on roller skis circling the lakes until the first flakes settle on frozen ground. These people are prepared for any condition and long for the challenge of self propelled motion on trails of frozen crystals. The True North is full of this sort.
Staff enjoying the community space near the gas stove
Of course, peeling off wet mittens and socks near the fire is part of winter. A freestanding gas stove like the one in this community space provides a safe and convenient way to provide this experience for visitors. The Lopi Berkshire Stove is especially nice because it has three sided viewing.
We are happy to contribute to the Minneapolis lifestyle. We'll see you at the Luminary Loppet and at the Trail Head enjoying every minute (as long as it ends in March) of winter!
Minneapolis grade school students warming up next to the gas stove after morning of Nordic skiing
We enjoyed working with our good friends and partners at Crown Construction on this project.