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I hvae lived in two cities, Grand Junction, Colorado and Reno, Nevada, that were in beautiful settings with lots of nearby recreational opportunities. The problem was that except for a few bike trails in the city, everything else was a drive a way. Because of an eye condition, I cannot drive. Despite being so near to many things, I could not take full advantage because I could not get to them.
So I was just curious what mid-size cities offer the most recreational opportunities within the city limits themselves?
Some things I like to do include biking, fishing, boating, hiking, running, swimming, bird watching, and scenic photography. I am not really into hunting, as you would not want some with poor vision handling a gun!
Memphis/ Activities / Shelby Farms Park (http://www.shelbyfarmspark.org/sfpc/park_info/user_groups - broken link)
There is a new greenline trail that is supposed to run from the middle of Memphis to this urban park. Not sure how far along they are on that project although I know some parts of it are complete.
The park offers most of what you listed except the hiking and swimming. Although there's always swimming the Mississippi River if you're feeling brave, or foolish!
Boulder, CO is pretty bike friendly but it is also expensive as hell.
If you don't mind living in larger cities either Denver, Salt Lake City, or Minneapolis will work. Minneapolis and Denver also are expanding their bike paths which are already pretty expansive.
By midsize, I would say anything between 50K and 500K.
To west336, you suggested Reno/Tahoe, which, as I mentioned in my original post, is one of the places I have already lived. Aside from a bike trail, Reno itself did not offer much to do. Lake Tahoe is 30-45 minutes away, but when you can't drive, it might as well be 10 hours away. I could not get there.
As for Salt Lake, Denver, or Minneapolis, what do these cities have to offer within the city besides bike trails. I am looking to do more than just bike. I know Denver and Salt Lake are near mountains, but you still have to drive to them. Is the Great Salt Lake a good place for recreation?
Madison and Memphis are some interesting suggestions that I need to look into more.
Boulder and Portland do not interest me, as I am extremely conservative and would feel too out of place. Plus, I could not afford them.
This is easy....Boise.
Biking, river activites--fishing, rafting, swimming, all in city limits. The Boise River is a mountain trout stream with forests and groves of cottonwood and aspen trees along its banks the entire length of the city. There are dozens of ponds as well that you can canoe in, fish, swim...all in city limits.
Lots of natural pedestrian only areas in city limits.
Hiking in city limits.
Rock climbing on real cliffs in city limits as well as several rock climbing gyms.
Plenty of wildlife...in city limits.
Mix all of this with a vibrant, progressive, artsy, very clean and growing city with a healthy mix of conservatives and liberals that get along with each other.
1 river (Mississippi)
12 lakes, most with several beaches. great fishing, expansive interconnected network of running and biking paths. some lakes are interconnected. canoe rentals.
3 creeks w/ paths. You can canoe/kayak for miles down Minnehaha
Theodore Wirth park = 60% of the area of Central Park
5 golf courses
arguably the best park system in the nation
extensive local pond hockey scene, best in the nation
per capita, Minneapolis leads the nation in
snow skiers (loads of groomed xc trails, many smaller alpine areas nearby)
sport fisherman
bicyclists
Of course the big problem is weather unless you really enjoy winter activities. I don't personally so winter gets pretty long for me but a cross country skier would be in heaven here.
I definitely agree that Madison also sounds like a prime candidate. Milwaukee could be another good option.
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