Hans Joos Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Hans Joos Park is a public park located in the town of New Ulm, Minnesota.


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Summary

The park is situated on the banks of the Cottonwood River and covers an area of 33 acres. The park is a popular destination for visitors due to its scenic beauty and its many amenities.

One of the main reasons to visit Hans Joos Park is to enjoy its natural beauty. The park is home to a wide variety of trees, plants, and wildlife, including deer, rabbits, and birds. Visitors can enjoy walking or hiking along the park's many trails, which offer great views of the river and the surrounding countryside.

In addition to its natural beauty, Hans Joos Park also offers a number of amenities for visitors to enjoy. These include picnic areas, playgrounds, and a fishing pier. For those looking for more active pursuits, the park has a basketball court, softball field, and horseshoe pits.

There are several points of interest within Hans Joos Park that visitors should be sure to see. One of these is a historic stone bridge that spans the Cottonwood River. The bridge was built in 1911 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Another point of interest is the park's Veterans Memorial, which honors the men and women who have served in the U.S. military. The memorial includes a statue of a soldier and a brick walkway with the names of local veterans inscribed on it.

Interesting facts about Hans Joos Park include the fact that it was named after a local businessman and philanthropist who donated the land for the park. The park was originally established in the 1920s and has been a popular destination for locals and visitors alike ever since.

The best time of year to visit Hans Joos Park is during the spring and summer months, when the weather is warm and the park's amenities are in full swing. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy its natural beauty in any season.

Overall, Hans Joos Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the beauty of Minnesota's natural landscape. With its many amenities and points of interest, it offers something for everyone, whether you are looking to relax and enjoy the scenery or engage in more active pursuits.

       

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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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