Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is a lively suburb located just north of Minneapolis. With a population of over 79,000 people, Brooklyn Park offers residents and visitors a variety of park spaces to enjoy. From large community parks to small neighborhood greenspaces, Brooklyn Park has something for everyone.
This article will highlight 12 of the top parks found throughout Brooklyn Park. For each park, you’ll find details on the location, size, amenities and recreational facilities offered. Whether you want to hike wooded trails, have a family picnic, play sports or simply enjoy some green space, you’re sure to find a park in Brooklyn Park to meet your needs.
1.Palmer Lake Park
Nestled alongside picturesque Palmer Lake, Palmer Lake Park is one of Brooklyn Park’s premier park destinations. Spanning nearly 200 acres, the park contains a variety of activity areas. The east side features picnic grounds, playgrounds and baseball/softball fields perfect for family gatherings.
The west side offers more solitude, with paved and woodchip trails winding through prairie lands and dense forests. Birdwatching is popular along the lakeshore, which also provides season fishing opportunities. With diverse habitats and recreational variety, Palmer Lake Park has something for all outdoor enthusiasts.
2.Rush Creek Regional Trail
For Brooklyn Park residents seeking walking, running and biking routes, the Rush Creek Regional Trail is a top pick. Built on an abandoned railroad corridor, the paved trail stretches nearly 5 continuous miles across the city.
The path meanders alongside Rush Creek, passing through woodlands and across meadows. Benches are scattered along the way to take breaks and enjoy lovely vistas of plants and wildlife. Interpretive signs describe area ecology and history. The Rush Creek Trail connects to the larger regional trail system, providing non-motorized access to destinations far beyond Brooklyn Park.
3.College Park
In the southern part of Brooklyn Park, College Park provides 38 acres of active recreation centered around the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center. Baseball/softball diamonds, soccer fields and volleyball courts offer seasonal sport leagues and casual play.
The large playground and splash pad area is perfect for families, with separate structures designed for both older and younger children. Picnic shelters are available to host group gatherings, and walking paths circle the park periphery. With the community center building onsite, College Park patrons can break for arts and crafts, fitness classes, senior activities and more.
4.Eagle Lake Park
Nature takes the spotlight at Eagle Lake Park situated alongside the majestic body of water that shares its name. Onsite amenities include canoe and kayak rentals, fishing piers and an archery range managed by a local sportsmen’s club.
An interpretive center houses exhibits detailing the cultural history and ecological diversity found within the park’s 250 acres. More than 4 miles of multi-use trails cater to walkers, runners and mountain bikers who navigate woodlands abundant with wildlife. Winter months draw cross-country skiers and snowshoe wanderers. With varied habitat and stunning lake views, Eagle Lake Park offers adventure across the seasons.
5.Brooklyn Boulevard Linear Park
Providing pedestrian-friendly access to nearby retail centers, the Brooklyn Boulevard Linear Park parallels its namesake roadway for approximately 1 mile.
The paved path connects apartment complexes and single-family homes to grocery stores, shops, restaurants and other useful destinations, allowing residents to travel by foot or bicycle instead of cars. Benches and decorative plantings line the trail, which also links to the greater Brooklyn Park trail network through spurs at either end.
With safe trail crossing points along Brooklyn Boulevard, the linear park prioritizes non-motorized transportation for recreation and commuting alike.
6.Woodcrest Park
Tucked among residential streets in northern Brooklyn Park, diminutive Woodcrest Park packs plenty of play into its 3 acres. Children delight in the modern playground equipment, while teens meet friends at the adjacent full basketball court.
Open green space lends itself to pickup soccer games and frisbee tossing, with park benches welcoming passive relaxation beneath shade trees. A walking loop circles the park, connecting to neighborhood sidewalks on all sides.
Leashed dogs are welcome with pet waste stations stocked for convenience. Though small in size, Woodcrest Park is an easy stroll for close-by families seeking outdoor recreation.
7.Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center
With indoor and outdoor facilities, the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center stimulates active lifestyles across generations.
Located adjacent to College Park, the 38-acre site includes softball diamonds, soccer fields, tennis and pickleball courts welcoming casual and league play. Children climb elaborate playground equipment while adults exercise at the outdoor fitness zone.
Inside the spacious activity center are a walking track, full-size gymnasium, weight room, cardio machines, arts and crafts rooms plus meeting halls available for event rental. Daily activities cater to preschoolers, teens, adults and seniors, fostering community while promoting health through recreational engagement.
8.Aqua Park
Attached to the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center is this popular aquatic park sprawling less than an acre. Aqua Park features lengthy tandem and spiral slides, a diving board, rope swing and other interactive water elements.
With a zero-depth beach entry and separate splash pad suited for toddlers, Aqua Park welcomes families with children of all ages. Shaded seating lines the concrete pool deck, which opens for summer-only swimming.
Affordable daily admission or seasonal pass options combined with onsite amenities like concessions, locker rooms and showers make Aqua Park an easy one-stop destination for water recreation.
9.Brookdale Park
Another small neighborhood park option, Brookdale Park offers 3 acres of outdoor activities convenient for nearby residents. Children have their choice of playgrounds designed for either older kids or toddlers, with standard swings for all ages.
One softball field and one tennis court accommodate casual athletes, while open space allows for pickup soccer or general field games. Concrete walking paths thread through the park crossing a wooden footbridge that spans a drainage creek lined with cattails.
Mature trees shade park visitors who walk dogs, have picnics or simply stop by to enjoy the scenery from available benches.
10.Becker Park
Baseball takes top billing at Becker Park, with four fields configured for varying ages plus bleachers and electronic scoreboards. When games aren’t in play, families take advantage of the fields for casual catch or open play.
The park periphery features walking paths that circumnavigate additional amenities including playgrounds, a basketball court and fast-paced hockey rink. A reservable picnic pavilion surrounded by shade trees promotes group gatherings for birthdays, reunions and more.
With sporting facilities and passive recreation opportunities, Becker Park welcomes north Brooklyn Park athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
11.Zane North Memorial Park
Dedicated in memory of late Brooklyn Park police officer Shane North, this 5-acre park honors those who serve local communities.
Children slide down innovative Double Regent sculpture twinned byflagged poles symbolizing the stars and stripes of American pride. Baseball diamonds host aspiring athletes while public art installations commemorate the history of the nearby historic Zane homestead.
Contemplative walking paths encourage remembrance and reflection for neighborhood visitors of all ages. Zane North Memorial Park pays tribute through play, reminding that dedicated spirit serves beyond a single lifetime.
12.63rd Avenue Woods
Though a small parcel at just 4 acres, 63rd Avenue Woods fills a notable niche as Brooklyn Park’s only forest preserve. A remnant expanse left when surrounding land was developed, the park remains in a natural state with minimal amenities beyond mown grass trails.
The lush tree canopy features a mix of maples, oaks, aspens and conifers that shade understory flora including native woodland wildflowers. Songbirds flit among the branches while small mammals like squirrels and rabbits find refuge within the urban forest.
Those seeking a respite from city sights and sounds will appreciate this woodland oasis perfect for peaceful strolls amid seasonal beauty.
Conclusion
From lakefront strolls to wooded hikes and heart-pounding action on the field, Brooklyn Park delivers ample opportunities to embrace recreation through its diverse park facilities.
Families will find playgrounds and athletic courts aplenty, while outdoor enthusiasts can spot local wildlife and connect with area nature.
With 12 exceptional parks outlined here, visitors and longtime residents alike are sure to discover inviting open spaces to promote personal health and foster community connections.