This Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update is for every neighbor, sleuth, and winter warrior currently braving the elements in our 62nd annual celebration. As your local Realtor with The Minnesota Real Estate Team and a proud member of the Agent Referral Network, I have been out on the trails daily, tracking every whisper of a clue and every suspicious-looking snowdrift. If you’re looking for a comprehensive Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update, you’ve landed in the right place.
The 2026 search has been one for the record books. With Clue #5 set to drop tomorrow morning and a major extension to the Snow Sculpture Competition, there is a lot of ground to cover—literally and figuratively. In this pillar post, I’m going to walk you through my personal search log, help you piece together the cryptic clues provided by the city, and ensure you have all the dates you need to enjoy the rest of the festival.
🚨 Breaking Schedule News: The Snow Sculpture Extension
Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update
Jacob Zwack | Search Discovery Log
Clue Status
#5 Tomorrow
Parks Searched
12+
Prize
$500.00
Sculpture Deadline
Feb 4th
Visual Evidence Log
Clash Royale Ice Golem
My official submission for the 2026 Snow Sculpture Contest. Built with precision (and cold hands)!
Marshland Trail Connection
This trail connects Thorpe Park to the wider marshland system. Beautiful, but no medallion found here yet.
Wintercrest Sledding Hill
Looking down from the summit. The unplowed areas were a challenge to navigate but necessary to check.
Woods & Disc Golf Entrance
Where the woods fade into the frisbee golf trail. A prime hiding spot for Rocky the Raccoon.
Sand Creek Concessions
Checked every inch of the perimeter here. High traffic area, often overlooked for the hunt.
Lions Park Trailhead
Consulting the boundaries. Remember: It must be on City property, not County or State land!
Anoka Rock Find
AJ and I found this painted rock treasure. Not the medallion, but a fun community discovery!
Search Progress Logs
GPS Trail Maps
Click any location to view the specific search quadrant map.
One of the most important pieces of this Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update involves our local artists. The City of Coon Rapids has officially announced that the Snow Sculpture Competition has been extended from Monday, February 2nd, to Wednesday, February 4th.
This is fantastic news for anyone who was feeling the pressure of the original deadline. You now have until Wednesday to perfect your icy masterpieces. Remember, for the contest to officially move forward, we need at least five registered entries. If you have been waiting for the perfect “packing snow” or just needed a few more days to carve out your vision, now is the time. Judging will take place on Thursday, February 5th, with winners announced on Friday.
The 8:00 AM Countdown: Clue Number 5 Tomorrow
If you are following the daily releases at CoonRapidsSnowflakeDays.com, you know the tension is rising. This Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update confirms that Clue #5 will be released tomorrow, Tuesday, February 3rd, at 8:00 a.m. Based on the trajectory of Clue #4—which mentioned “Number one in the ladder”—many of us have been focusing on areas near Fire Station #1 on Egret Boulevard. But as any seasoned hunter knows, the fifth clue is usually where the “riddles” stop being vague and start leading you toward a specific physical landmark. Be ready to move fast tomorrow morning!
Alt Text: Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update – Jacob Zwack searching local parks for the 2026 medallion.
The Master Hunt Log: My 2026 Search Journey
To provide a truly valuable Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update, I want to share exactly where my boots have been on the ground. By seeing where I have already searched “thoroughly,” you can narrow down your own path and save your energy for the areas that remain untouched.
Lions Park and the River Trails
The riverfront is often the heart of the hunt. I started my search at Lions Coon Rapids Boulevard Park. I didn’t just walk the paved paths; I went deep into the trail system and even scoured the area under the bridge. There are countless crevices and support beams where a medallion could be tucked away, but after a few hours of searching, I moved on to the next site.
Riverside and Riverwind: The Pickleball Theory
In my previous Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update, I mentioned my suspicion regarding the pickleball courts at Riverwind Park. Given how much the city has invested in these courts lately, it felt like a logical “landmark” for a clue. I searched the courts, the perimeter, and the benches very thoroughly. Over at Riverside Park, the search was equally intense, but unfortunately, both parks came up empty.
Thorpe Park: The Marshland Connection
This is where my search got strategic. I have visited Thorpe Park three times now. Why? Because I realized that the Marshland Trail connects directly to Thorpe. When you look at the city’s trail map, these “connector” paths are prime territory for a medallion hide. I’ve walked the Marshland Trail from end to end, looking for anything out of the ordinary near the trail markers.
Crooked Lake Park: A Deep Dive
If you were planning on hitting Crooked Lake Park, you should know that I have searched this area very thoroughly. From the lakefront access points to the interior wooded sections, I spent a significant amount of time here. It’s a beautiful park, and while it’s a great place for a winter walk, I didn’t find any sign of the medallion during my sweep.
The Ice Center and Splash Pad
The Coon Rapids Ice Center is a hub for Snowflake Days activity, especially with the “Guns ‘n Hoses” game. I looked all around the exterior of the building, specifically targeting the splash pad area (which is a great summer landmark) and checking every single bench in the vicinity.
Wintercrest and Rockslide Parks
My Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the challenges of Wintercrest Park. I did a run-through, but the playground wasn’t plowed, and street parking was a major obstacle. If you plan on searching there, bring a shovel or be prepared to trek through some deep drifts.
At Rockslide Park, I have searched the entire park in its entirety, with the exception of the very backside of the underpass. That underpass area is one of the few remaining “question marks” on my map.
Neighborhood Stops: Peppermint Stick and Riverview
- Peppermint Stick Park: I checked this off the list—no medallion there for now.
- Riverview Park: I spent time at the basketball courts and the garden areas. Note for readers: Make sure you are at the park itself, not the Early Childhood Center!
Why Local Knowledge Wins the Hunt
As a Realtor with The Minnesota Real Estate Team, I often tell my clients that “location is everything.” In the medallion hunt, that couldn’t be more true. Understanding the history of our city property—from the old “Popcorn Park” nicknames to the placement of our fire stations—is the key to winning.
My work with the Agent Referral Network allows me to see Coon Rapids through a unique lens. I don’t just see parks; I see the infrastructure that makes our community strong. Whether I’m helping a family find a home near Sand Creek Park or hunting for a hidden prize, I am constantly reminded of why I love living and working in the North Metro.
If you are looking for more than just a Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update and actually want to talk about the local housing market, feel free to reach out. I hold RENE, C2EX, SRS, and ABR designations, and I’m always happy to help my neighbors navigate the complexities of real estate while we wait for the next clue to drop.
Strategies for Clues #5 through #10
As we move past the halfway point, the clues will become much more specific. Here is my advice for the final stretch of the hunt:
- Analyze the “Power Words”: Watch for capitalized words or phrases in the clues that might refer to specific street names or historical figures (like Al Flynn or Tom Morris).
- Use the Trail Maps: The City of Coon Rapids has an excellent Interactive Trail Map. Many medallions are found where two trails intersect.
- Check the “Unplowed” Spots: Sometimes the best hiding spots are the ones that require a little extra effort to reach. If a playground isn’t plowed, don’t assume the medallion isn’t there—assume most people were too lazy to check it!
- Have Your Button Ready: You must have your 2026 Snowflake Days button to claim the $500 prize. Don’t be the person who finds it but can’t win because they didn’t support the festival!
Conclusion: Stick With the Search!
I will continue to update this post as the search continues. This Coon Rapids Snowflake Days Update is just the beginning. Whether you are out there for the $500 prize or just to enjoy a walk through Thorpe Park or Riverwind Park, remember that the hunt is about celebrating our community.
If you see me out on the trails—likely clutching a coffee and looking under a park bench—come say hi! And if you decide the snow is too deep and you’d rather stay inside and talk real estate, you can reach me at 763-250-3146 or email me at jacob@mnrealestateteam.com.
Keep hunting, Coon Rapids! Tomorrow’s clue could be the one that changes everything.
This post is brought to you by Jacob Zwack, Realtor with The Minnesota Real Estate Team – The Agent Referral Network. All content adheres to NAR rules and regulations. For more local updates, visit mnbyjz.com.