Blaine, Minnesota is a vibrant suburb located just outside of Minneapolis, nestled along the St. Croix River. With over 60,000 residents, Blaine has experienced rapid growth in recent years as families seek affordable housing and amenities outside of the big city. Though known for its new suburban neighborhoods, Blaine has retained its small-town identity thanks in large part to its robust parks system.
There are over 20 parks within Blaine offering nearly 700 combined acres of open green space and preserved habitats for community members to enjoy. The city prioritizes parks and trails in its long-term planning, recognizing their ability to foster community ties. Whether you want to cool off at a water park, stretch your legs on wooded trails or cheer on a little league game, Blaine has a park perfectly suited to deliver.
This article will highlight 12 of Blaine’s can’t-miss parks so you can make the most of the city’s outstanding recreation system.
1.Lakeside Commons Park
Lakeside Commons Park is one of Blaine’s newest and most popular parks thanks to the Tropical Depot Water Park added in 2016. Spanning 18 acres adjacent to athletic fields and a wooded wetland, Lakeside Commons has something for everyone.
Visitors enjoy the zero-depth “beach” entrance leading to interactive water toys, slides, fountains, kiddie pools, lazy river, and FlowRider surfing simulator for year-round water play. Other amenities include a creative arts pavilion, veterans memorial, picnic shelter, walking trails, natural play area and equipment serving all ages and abilities
. With concessions and neighboring sports fields, Lakeside Commons provides space for play, performance and community gathering in central Blaine.
2.Aquatore Park
Covering 193 acres, Aquatore Park is Blaine’s largest and perhaps most beloved open space. Defined by the 60-acre Aquatore Lake at its heart, the park balances recreation and environmental conservation.
Visitors fish for crappie, sunfish, bass and pike from the shoreline or small non-motorized boats, hike and bike the paved 1-mile lakeside trail, identify birds from the viewing platform, rent shelters for events, or winter ice fish when conditions allow.
Beyond the lake, restored prairies, wetland meadows and oak woodlands provide critical habitat for Blaine’s remarkable wildlife diversity. Aquatore Park remains a scenic escape for outdoor enthusiasts to experience nature at its finest.
3.Town Square Park
Blaine’s aptly named Town Square Park brings community members together for downtown events of all kinds, no matter the season. The 1.5 acre linear green space lies at the heart of Blaine’s historic business district.
Visitors admire public art including The Spirit of Community statue and recycled material bike racks while strolling paved walking paths. The park’s performance pavilion comes alive for summer concert series, movies in the park, 4th of July festivities and other community celebrations.
Food trucks, craft fairs and art displays often line Town Square Park, which Blaine residents treat as their communal backyard.
4.East Blaine Nature Preserve
For an escape to open vistas reminiscent of Minnesota’s rural landscapes of yesteryear, head to East Blaine Nature Preserve spanning 42 acres. Habitat restoration efforts transformed former farmland into spectacular meadows, ponds and oak woodlands rich with wildlife.
Networks of mown grass trails allow visitors to explore native prairie plants, frog choruses, bird songs and other sensory delights while informational signage provides context. An observation deck extending into the central pond facilitates bird watching.
Keep watch for white-tailed deer, red fox, coyotes, raccoons and over 100 documented bird species while admiring the rare beauty within city limits.
5.Paul Bunyan Park
Paul Bunyan Park presents a literal larger-than-life folk hero welcoming visitors to Blaine. The park stretches 19 acres surrounding its main attraction: an 18-foot tall Paul Bunyan statue that has towered over the intersection of Central Avenue and Main Street since 1937.
Beloved as a roadside landmark advertising Blaine as a lumber town, Paul Bunyan Park provides plenty of recreation opportunities beyond the legendary lumberjack.
Multi-age playgrounds, walking paths, wooded areas, picnic grounds and trail access complement facilities supporting Blaine’s annual Pioneer Days festival. From Paul Bunyan himself to special events that celebrate community heritage, this signature park embodies Blaine pride.
6.Happy Acres Park
Happy Acres Park brings charming, small-town recreation to its namesake neighborhood. Spanning 5 acres of gentle hills near active ball fields, Happy Acres delights families with two modern playgrounds catering to specific age groups.
Toddlers climb through whimsical archways while school-age children challenge their bravery on the Arch Swing.
All ages appreciate the park’s quarter-mile paved trail, basketball court, picnic shelter, open play lawn and nearby trail network connectivity. Happy Acres Park succeeds as a cornerstone gathering place for surrounding homes to send kids out to play from dawn to dusk.
7.Lakeside Park
True to its name, Lakeside Park delivers prime views of one of Blaine’s small fishing lakes. The 5.4 acre neighborhood escape features a gazebo perched at the water’s edge, framed by graceful willow trees and a wooden fishing pier extending into the lake.
Visitors catch crappie, bluegill, sunfish and bass from the shore or gather at picnic tables nearby. Lakeside’s playground appeals to all ages with modern equipment, while mature oak and maple trees cast shade over the park’s perimeter trail.
Located at the intersection of Blaine’s Main Street and Naples Street business corridors, Lakeside Park allows convenient access for fishing, strolling, picnicking or supervising kids at play.
8.Lexington Woods Park
In Blaine’s northeast corner, Lexington Woods Park provides recreation and event space tailored to its wooded residential setting. The 8-acre park spans gentle hills accented with mature maple, oak and coniferous trees.
Open grass athletic fields support baseball, softball, football, soccer and lacrosse leagues, encircled by spectator viewing. Playgrounds with modern equipment appeal to all ages alongside walking paths and picnic facilities.
Visitors access Blaine’s regional trail network directly from Lexington Woods Park. The park building offers indoor reservation space as well while the wooded backdrop enhances seasonal color and nature viewing within the suburban landscape.
9.Aqua Park
Cool off even on hot summer days at Blaine’s Aqua Park, where affordable admission grants access to engaging water play.
Aqua Park spans two acres centered around a lagoon-style pool featuring a 150-foot waterslide, sand play area, interactive water toys, dedicated lap lanes, beach lounge chairs and concessions. Preschoolers delight in their own zero-depth “Splash Pool” with bubblers, mini slides, waterfalls and tipping buckets.
On land, visitors enjoy playground equipment, sand volleyball, real sand play space, locker rooms and event lawn. With on-site management, Aqua Park provides convenient summer fun in a family-friendly atmosphere.
10.Valley Creek Park
At just 5 acres, Valley Creek Park packs an impressive variety of recreation options into its compact footprint. Adjacent to Blaine High School and Middle School, the park appeals most to teens and tweens.
Valley Creek features Blaine’s largest skate park with 20,000 square feet of ledges, quarter pipes, banked turns and trick features to challenge all abilities. Two lit tennis courts stay open late while a basketball court hosts pick-up games.
Multi-age playgrounds, walking paths and picnic pavilion round out the park’s amenities, with seasonal portable restrooms available. The wooded landscape offers refuge while location convenience makes Valley Creek a go-to youth recreation zone.
11.Central Park
Having served Blaine families for over 30 years, Central Park remains a popular neighborhood fixture thanks to its mature trees and family-friendly facilities. The 10-acre park lies adjacent to the Innsbrook Golf Club and within walking distance of nearby homes.
Paved walking paths encircle two ball fields, playgrounds, picnic grounds, open play lawn and restrooms. Mature oak, maple and pine trees cast cooling shade over Central Park’s amenities, from covered picnicking to playground equipment catering to both toddlers and school-age children.
Visitors access Blaine’s regional trail network directly from Central Park to explore adjacent neighborhoods or nature preserves by foot or bicycle.
Conclusion
These 12 parks only begin to show the diversity of open spaces and recreation opportunities across Blaine. From quaint neighborhood playgrounds to sprawling nature preserves, Blaine provides over 633 acres of parks featuring athletic fields, fishing piers, performance pavilions, skate parks, wooded trails, and water play spaces to keep everyone active.
The next time you find yourself in Blaine, take time to discover a new favorite park shaping this vibrant, growing community.