Friendly Hills Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Friendly Hills Park is a popular destination located in the city of Mendota Heights, Minnesota.


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Summary

The park offers a wide range of attractions and activities, making it an ideal spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and jogging on the park's many trails, as well as picnicking, fishing, and playing on the park's playgrounds and sports fields. The park also features a popular dog park, making it a great spot for pet owners to bring their furry friends.

One of the main points of interest in the park is the beautiful scenery and natural habitats. The park features a variety of plants and wildlife, including deer, birds, and other animals. Visitors can also explore the park's wetlands and lakes, which offer opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing.

In addition, the park hosts a number of events and activities throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and sports tournaments. The best time of year to visit may depend on personal preference, but the summer months tend to be the most popular due to the warmer weather and abundance of outdoor activities.

Overall, Friendly Hills Park is a must-visit destination for those looking for a fun and relaxing outdoor experience in Minnesota.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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