Mississippi River park chosen for Michelle Obama program

A national park in Minnesota is one of 20 in the country chosen to participate in a new program created by First Lady Michelle Obama to encourage families to be healthy and active outdoors.

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, which lies along 72 miles of the Mississippi River between Dayton and just south of Hastings, will be part of Let's Move Outside. The program tries to give parents and children tools to enjoy the outdoors.

Park Ranger Rebecca Lofgren said the program won't bring much more money to the park. She said the program recognizes some of the activities that were already in place at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.

"We were one of the parks that were chosen based on programs that fit the initiative and had a good infrastructure that already existed," Lofgren said. "So we haven't created anything special as far as programs for this. We would be doing these programs regardless."

The park offers activities such as birding, fishing, snow shoeing, and hiking. Most are free and anyone can participate.

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