The Gift of Green Time: Lake Minnetonka

Winner of Best Parenting Book Award at Next Generation Indie Book Awards!

Today’s families are feeling frazzled and stressed, but there is a simple solution. Spending time outdoors together is fun, inexpensive, and restorative. Whether you are a pet parent or managing a household of tots to teens, these activities will get your family outdoors, enjoying all the benefits the lakes area has to offer. Disconnect and reconnect in nature—it’s the gift of green time.

Discover the inside scoop on:

  • 50 Ways to Chart Your Course (170+ activities)

  • Lake Lore and Fun Facts

  • Going Green and Giving Back

  • Green Time Resources and Great Reads

About the Author

Beverly Gillen is a lifelong resident of Minnetonka, parent educator, and college instructor. She is passionate about helping families discover the magic of nature and the benefits of spending time outdoors. Beverly’s family has lived in Minnetonka for over 50 years, and she looks forward to introducing the fourth generation to this special place.

The Gift of Green Time: Lake Minnetonka is the second book of the series. Find the Door County, WI edition here.

People don’t care about the fate of the planet unless they feel an emotional connection to nature. Childhood is a prime time to establish that connection and families play a critical role. What makes Gillen’s The Gift of Green Time so useful is its specific ideas for residents of and visitors to the Lake Minnetonka area.
— Cathy Jordan, PhD, Consulting Director of Research, Children & Nature | Network Director of Leadership & Education, Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota