Altoona is only four square miles but it operates five city parks: Cinder City, Davney Park, Highland Park, Lakefront and Otter Creek, there's also hope of still another park in the River Prairie Development.

While most of the activities, like softball leagues and flag football tournaments, take place in the summer there are a few activities available all year.

Winter biking is becoming increasingly popular and Altoona offers miles of trails.

The non-profit group, Altoona Outdoors, is working to link Altoona's trails to Eau Claire's creating a 15 mile off-road loop.

"Our goal is to have a bike trail within a half mile of every home in Altoona," says Altoona Outdoors Vice President Colleen Weber. "We believe if it's there people will use it so our mission is to encourage a healthy, active lifestyle."

If braving the winter weather on two wheels isn't ideal you can always try it on two blades.

Hobbs sports center is home to the Altoona Youth Hockey Association.

Close to a dozen teams use the center to practice their shooting, skating and puck handling skills.

The building also hosts open skate nights, the city's learn to skate program and a men and women's hockey league.

Right now the association is trying to raise money to renovate and repair the more than 20 year old building.

"The insulation has holes and its' starting to fall from the ceiling and we have rust in the beams and so it's going to take a lot of tender loving care and elbow grease to get it back to where it'll look nice and where it'll be viable for the long term," explains Mike Vaughan with the Altoona Youth Hockey Association.

The association has a 20 year agreement with the city to run the building and is hoping to raise 750 thousand dollars for all the repairs

Also, Altoona Outdoors is looking for funds to match a 56 thousand dollar grant for its bike trails.