There are many things you can do here in Prior Lake, Minnesota, but the most exciting of these things are the various parks that you can visit here. In this article we will be giving you a short description of each park. Now, without further ado, let’s start.
The City of Prior Lake park and trail system has 55 parks including neighborhood parks with assorted amenities, several natural resource parks for outdoor enjoyment and community parks with first-rate athletic facilities and other amenities. In all, there are more than 1,000 acres of parkland and 80 miles of sidewalks and trails. For more information about specific parks, visit Related Links or download Prior Lake’s Park & Trail Map.
Regional Parks
These are recreation opportunities that are adjacent to the city:
Spring Lake Regional Park has 373 acres west of Prior Lake. It is accessible on Howard Lake Rd. Amenities include a 3.5-mile paved trail system, restrooms and a 10-acre off-leash dog park.
Cleary Lake Regional Park has 1,045 acres east of Prior Lake accessible on County Rd. 27. Amenities include a golf course, campground, picnic area, dog park, cross-county ski trails, beach and more.
Fishing in the Neighborhood (FIN) Program
Little Prior Lake, nestled near the entrance to Lakefront Park, is stocked each year with northerns, bass, sunfish and crappies, as is Hickory Shores Park at Crystal Lake. These parks, along with Grainwood Crossing and Sand Point Beach, allow dock and shore fishing. You can also shore fish at Crystal Lake Park. Grab your pole and try your luck.
Pets
The city of Prior Lake has rules for pets, that one must take into account when visiting these parks. Right down below is a quick summary of these rules.
Dogs and cats must be properly licensed and restrained on a leash no longer than six feet at all times to be in any park legally (with the exception of seeing-eye dogs and police dogs). Pet owners are liable for any action or damage caused by a pet. Pet owners must also have tools or equipment for prompt removal of feces. No dogs or cats are permitted on beach areas, nature center areas, park buildings, skating rinks, nor any athletic field.
Adopt-A-Park Program/Memorial Tree and Bench Program
To help keep the parks and trails beautiful to the eyes of visitors for years to come, the city has two programs that rely on the assistance of volunteers from within the community of Prior Lake: The Adopt-a-Park Program and the Memorial Tree and Bench Program.
What is Adopt-A-Park? Adopt-a-Park and Adopt-a-Project are Prior Lake public service programs that allow volunteers to have a sense of ownership and pride in a city park and contribute to their community. The programs enable park improvements, save precious tax dollars and allow maintenance crews to devote more time and effort to other important efforts.
What is the Memorial Tree and Bench Program? The Park Bench & Tree Dedication Program allows friends and relatives to honor the memory of a loved one with a unique park bench or tree dedication in one of Prior Lake’s beautiful parks.
With all that being said, we sincerely hope that you will have a great time here in the city of Prior Lake, Minnesota.