Recreation

Worthington offers a wide variety of recreational pursuits for all seasons, from water skiing to snowmobiling, ball games to car races.

Lakes

Worthington is built around 795-acre Lake Okabena. Public beaches are located at Centennial Park and Slater Park, with boat landings at Ehlers, Slater, Sunset and Centennial parks.  All manner of water sports are enjoyed on Lake Okabena, boating, canoeing, waterskiing, personal watercraft, windsurfing, and fishing.

Fishing and game licenses are available at the Nobles County License Center, 315 10th Street, True Value Hardware Store, 312 10th Street, Runnings Fleet & Farm, Highway 59N, Texaco Food Mart, corner of Oxford and Humiston, and Wal-mart, 1055 Ryan's Road.

Lake Ocheda is located just south of Worthington and is accessible to the public at Pickerel Point, two miles south on County Road 6, and at Sportsmens Park, three miles south on County Road 5.  Ocheda is a long, shallow lake/wetlands area for waterfowl and fish.

Lake Bella Recreation Area, a 40-acre site which has been developed along the east shore above the dam for picnicking, fishing, swimming and camping. A boat landing, with picnic shelter and rest rooms are also located here. Approximately 11 miles south of Worthington.

Sports

Worthington Arena: Hockey and ice skating. Ice on from October 15 through March 15.

Bowling:  Oxford Bowl has 16 lanes with computerized scoring.  League play is enjoyed.  Pinball, video games and lounge.  Located at 325 Oxford Street.  Phone 507-376-6802.

Cycling:  Bicycle path 5.5 mile loop around Lake Okabena crossing the world's largest bicycle bridge near Lakefront Park.

Soccer: Worthington Area Junior High Fields and Buss Field. Youth programs through the YMCA.

Tennis: Centennial Park, Minnesota West Campus, Worthington Area Junior High and Worthington Senior High schools, Centennial, Pleasant and Millard-Walker city parks.

YMCA: Basketball, racquet ball, weight room, indoor track, two gymnasiums.

MC Fitness & Health Club: Advanced exercise equipment, circuit training, full-size weight room, sauna/whirlpool, two racquet ball courts and tanning beds.

Softball: Centennial Park fields.

Baseball: Worthington Area Junior High School and Minnesota West campus.

Horseshoes: Chautauqua and Centennial parks.

Car Races: Stock car races Sunday nights through summer months. Worthington Speedway at the Nobles County Fairgrounds.

Worthington Public Pool: Open June 7 through Labor Day. Includes 200-foot water slide, Olympic-size swimming pool, wading pool, three diving boards, lap swimming, sand volleyball court, spacious deck and large grass area.

Worthington Country Club: Semi-private club with 18-hole course, dining room and lounge, swimming pool with lifeguard, driving range, locker rooms, cart storage and rentals, full service golf shop, and PGA Golf Professional offering lessons to golfers of all abilities.

Prairie View Golf Links: Scottish Links Design 18-hole golf course replaces trees with prairie grasses, flowers, hills, and waterways. Clubhouse offers snack bar and full-service pro shop. Lessons available for groups, juniors, and individuals by appointment. Club and cart rentals, driving range, special prices for large groups.

Hunting:  Great deer and pheasant.  Waterfowl hunting in State Wildlife Management areas, State Scientific and Natural Areas and National Waterfowl Production Areas.  Check with license sales for maps or information.

Ice Fishing:  See the tiny buildings on the ice and people in winter garb huddling near a hole in the ice, it's a sure sign of ice fishing.  Lake Okabena, Round, East and West Graham Lakes almost guarantee a catch through the ice.

Snowmobile Trails: Frosty Riders Snowmobile Club maintains area trail systems. Club members plan weekend outings and activities.

Archery: Southwest Minnesota Bowbenders, one of the state's largest archery groups, welcomes children and adults at the target range with indoor facilities. Located one miles south of Worthington on County Road 57. Phone 507-376-6262; open November through March Monday through Friday and Sunday afternoons. The Bowbenders facility is open in summer months from July 4 to August 28 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

Worthington Gun Club: Located two miles north of Worthington on Highway 59.

Windsurfing: Lake Okabena benefits from the 200-mile, elevated Buffalo Ridge deflects winds toward the lake often at speeds of 15 or more knots, ideal conditions for windsurfing.  The Worthington Okabena Windsurfers website is: www.worthingtonwindsurfing.com

Parks

Neighborhood parks:

• Bristol - Playground equipment

• Castlewood

• Cherry Point - playground equipment

• Church - playground equipment

• Freedom Veterans Memorial Park - gazebo, veterans pavers.

• Hogan's Park

• Intercity

• Kelly - playground equipment

• Millard-Walker - tennis court, ice skating (winter only), shelter house, playground equipment

• Orchard Knoll - volleyball

• Pirtle - playground equipment

• Pleasant - tennis court

• Southeast Side - softball

• Vets

• Wetland

Lakeside Parks:

Centennial - boat landing, rest rooms, picnic area, shelter house, swimming beach, volleyball, playground equipment

Chautauqua - shelter house, picnic area, rest rooms, band shell, horseshoes, volleyball, playground equipment

Ehlers - boat landing, shelter house, playground equipment

Freedom Shore - gazebo

Lakefront / Sailboard Beach - Beach, picnic area, windsurfing launch point, and fishing area

Ludlow - Shelter house, picnic area, playground equipment

Olson - camping and electrical hookups, shower and rest room facilities, shelter house, picnic area, playground equipment

Slater - Shelter house, playground equipment, boat landing, swimming beach

Sunset - boat landing, fishing pier (handicap-accessible), shelter house

Vogt - swimming beach, picnic area