2009 US PGA Championship Area Information - Chaska Minnesota
Chaska, the county seat of Carver County, is a relatively tiny city with an estimated population of only 24 000. It has strong ties with Native American culture, with the famous Sioux said to have been one of the most dominant tribes of the area, previously known as 'Big Woods'.
A favourite of the early fur traders, Little Rapids, as it was initially known as, was soon baptised Chaska, a Dakota word given to the first born male child. The community remained relatively small and unscathed by progress until the construction of the Minneapolis & St Louis Railway in 1873.
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Apart from several golf courses, there appears to be very little to recommend in and around Chaska but if you're a botanist, then the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum could possibly be a bit of light relief in between the battles on the fairways and greens of Hazeltine National.
Set in 1000 acres, the arboretum is owned by the University of Minnesota that conducts important botanical research on site. The area, linked by several miles of hiking trails, is a place of peace, beauty and serenity. For a more intellectual fix, the University offers a wide range of educational programmes.
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Another popular venue for much-needed R&R is the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. The brainchild of local theatre aficionados, the Bloombergs, the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres rose from a lowly cornfield into a 90 000 square feet entertainment centre, with not one but three independent theatres, the main theatre, the Fireside and the Playhouse. West Side Story is the main attraction for the foreseeable future and when you are not entranced with the antics of gangland New Yorkers, then simply enjoy dinner menus offering a choice of 6 entrees.
Water World
Chaska is located in the depths of the lakes districts and consequently there is literally enough water to drown in. The vast majority of the lakes in the area are wonderful sanctuaries for both man and wildlife with the most prominent being
- Lake of Isles - which has bird sanctuaries on its islands as well as a public skating rink for the dismal winter months
- Lake Calhoun - is the ideal venue to rent boats and the large public beach is uber-popular in the summer months.
- Lake Nokomis - is the premier swimming venue and even has a number of life guards on duty in the busy periods. A perfect locale for canoeing, kayaking and sailing and when you begin to feel peckish, head for one of a number of food vendors selling the perennial favourites, hot dogs and ice cream.
