Rural Minnesota has evolved into "the greatest place to live and work" for families, singles, entrepreneurs and adventurers of all types.

If we don't have it "right here", it isn't too far to find it. We don't mean to boast but...

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schools and youth organizations - Can you say carpool? it's the things memories are made of...

• If you are looking for award winning schools with teachers who are invested in their students, and use inspiring teaching styles, we have them. Check the local site at https://www.nce.k12.mn.us/   Better yet, take a tour!

• In addition to long-term staff and coaches, our Early Childhood Initiative team, Parent-Teachers Organization, tutors and other volunteers' investment in our students, makes our overall educational success something for children to smile about.

• Bussing is available to and from schools on school-days for all local schools. Minnesota allows for open enrollment, so it is a parent's choice.

• Licensed day care is available in town or if you choose, there are quality choices within 5 to 15 miles in any direction.

• Our area has quality 4-H clubs, Boys Scouts, dance clubs, rec. baseball, football, basketball, horseback riding clubs and others in town or a short drive away. 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recreation makes for good fun with friends and family... or maybe you would enjoy a walk through a forest just to enjoy nature

​

Hiking, nature walks, snowmobile, ATV, horse or bike trails are abundant

• If you are looking for a healthy place to live, we have a 160-acre forest with over five miles of trails for walking, horses or bikes, a natural play space and enough species of birds and other wild life to keep your camera busy for hours. See www.GaryPines.com for more details.

• If you like an evening stroll around town, everyone on of our streets are new as of 2016. Children and adults alike enjoy riding their bikes because as you may have guessed, we don't really have traffic problems.

​

Horse and HOV, snowmobile lovers welcome - there are clubs for all types!

If you love the trails we have them for all types of riders...

• In addition to the five miles of trails in the Pines, the Twin Valley Riders Club arena is just up the road for riders who enjoy fun day competitions including barrel racing, pole bending and more.

• The Wild Rice Peacemakers also hold mounted shooting events at the arena including the State Competition in May. 

• The Fertile Sandhill trails are 12 miles to the North for people who enjoy a bit more rugged riding, hikes and nature tours.

• The Lake Agassiz Recreational Trail (ART) runs straight through Gary. It starts runs up to Crookston on the north and ends down by Ulen on the south. It is groomed for horses, bikes, ATV's and Snowmobiles. It connects to a large variety of state trails...enough to keep you busy all weekend!

​

Sports facilities, playgrounds and more

• Our school facilities are top notch, our playground is new, our Early Childhood Program is effective and interactive - take a tour!

• In the center of town is a new Elwood E. Narum Recreational Park including full basketball court, tennis, ice skating rink, picnic tables, benches and more

• The Gary City Park includes two sand volleyball courts, two horseshoe pits, a large picnic shelter, a sand pile for children, swings and fun for the entire family

• The Gary Wellness Facility has over 1000 sq. ft. of equipment including free weights, squat rack, TRX Straps, weights machines, treadmills and other equipment. It is located in the old fire hall on Thorpe St. across from the EE Narum Rec. Park

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

Fishing and Hunting

Like the outdoors/sportsman's life? You will love Gary. Deer, turkey, and bear are abundant for hunters. Deer hunting season is a local holiday where generations converge on the city, hunt all day, enjoy the deer hunters dance on the weekend and take time to catch up with old friends and family.  Like to fish? The Wild Rice River is five miles south of us or enjoy any of the many lakes within a 20 minute drive from Gary.

 

Properties

• Choose from your style of home! Gary has a variety of well-maintained turn of the 19th century homes, new houses with a grand look or quaint country cottages you can call home. Check our business page for a realtors who sell local properties.

• Because of our quality of living, it can sometimes be challenging to find a house for sale in Gary, but it is worth looking.

• Want to build on a nice open lot? Call the city office at 218-356-8600 for more information.

• Our property values have gone up since the many improvements to the roads, parks and infrastructure but Gary is well-priced and located for optimal outdoor recreation, shopping, bonfires and activities for friends and family.

​

 City improvements completed since the 2015 Comprehensive City Plan

• Every street in Gary in need, was repaved in 2016-2017

• The city has all new or updated sports and park facilities with a new gym (over 1000 sq. ft.) 2019

• Natural Gas, in cooperation with Community Co-op was put in the summer of 2017

• New city water facilities and water tower are slated to be completed in 2021

• The 55 mile Agassiz Recreational Trail (ART) winds directly down Main Street of Gary.

• Gary Pines 160-acre park & trails completed. In addition to six miles of scenic trails  an obstacle course is in for the kids. camping, equine        friendly hitching areas, atv trails, bike trails, chainsaw art throughout and more are in the forest. Fun for all! www.GaryPines.com

​

Worried about shopping? If it isn't local, no problem...Amazon delivers!

​

​

​