Parks

Anderson Gardens

North of Memorial Park on Lake Ripley, just off Highway 22 Anderson Gardens is a mini-arboretum park located on the northeastern corner of Lake Ripley with a picturesque gazebo.

Archery Range and Pie Shape/ Dog Park

Across Lake Ripley Drive from Memorial Park Litchfi eld’s Archery Range and Pie Shape/Dog Park located across from Memorial Park on Lake Ripley — has eight acres for dogs to run free as well as picnic tables and garbage cans. Next to the dog park is an archery range, which features targets at 10-yard intervals up to 80 yards.

Becker Park

One block south of East St. Paul Street, between Gilman and Chandler Avenues Located on South Chandler Avenue, Becker Park is an open-play area with a swing set and a small hill perfect for sliding and sledding in the winter.

Central Park

Off Sibley Avenue, between Third and Fourth streets The heart of Litchfield, Central Park and its bandshell are home to activities throughout the year, including outdoor music, a farmers market and community meals. It is in downtown Litchfi eld along Sibley Avenue.

Crescent Park

Off North Crescent Lane, near Litchfi eld Sports Complex This playground is located in the Crescent Lane development and has a swing set and playground equipment.

Disc Golf

The disc golf course at Litchfi eld High School has eight holes.

Jaycee’s Park

Between Memorial Park and Lake Ripley Campground on Lake Ripley Situated between Memorial Park and the Lake Ripley Campground

The fi shing pier at Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area was moved in recent years to improve fi shing and accessibility.

along Lake Ripley, this park is ideal for a day on the lake or packing a picnic: Jaycees Park has a picnic shelter, playground equipment, dock, boat launch and ice fi shing access.

Lake Ripley Campground

Off Lake Ripley Drive between Lake Ripley and East Lake Ripley The municipal trailer campground has 32 sites, 12 with sewer, water and electric, 20 with water and electric, as well as permanent restrooms and showers. All sites are available on a fi rst-come, fi rstserved basis.

Legion Memorial Park

Near 551-593 Lake Ripley Drive Built in 1994 this park is dedicated in memory of all veterans of all wars.

Lion’s Park

Off West Pleasure Drive west of Highway 22 Located on the north shore of Lake Ripley, Lions Park has a playground, fi shing docks, walking/bike path and large picnic shelter that may be reserved through Litchfi eld Community Education.

Litchfi eld Sports Complex

Between the armory and the high school on Gilman Avenue Located near Litchfi eld High School on Gilman Avenue, the Litchfi eld Sports Complex features a variety of athletic facilities, including four softball fi elds, four tennis courts, a horseshoe court, two outdoor hockey rinks, basketball court, soccer area, skateboard park, two Little League fi elds and Optimist Park – home of the Litchfield Blues amateur baseball team. The complex is also home to Litchfi eld Public Schools’ athletic facilities.

Memorial Park

East edge of Lake Ripley, just off South Sibley Avenue The location for many Litchfield Watercade activities, Memorial Park lies along the east edge of Lake Ripley. A community-built playground and a splash pad are popular attractions at this park, which also includes 175 feet of beach, swimming docks, lake overlook, bike/walking path, an Army tank and fi eld cross memorial, sand volleyball court, lake access, large picnic area and restrooms.

Ness Park

On North Miller Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets A large park located off North Miller Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets, Ness Park has a swing set, picnic tables and volleyball court.

North Casey Park

Near Shell and Davis Motors off North Sibley Avenue This park is an open play area with a swing set located on N. Miller Avenue between Ninth and 11th streets, with Jewett Creek along the east edge. In the winter there is a small hill for sledding.

Optimist Baseball Park

East 10th Street At the east end of 10th Street, this ballpark has a full-sized baseball fi eld with seating and two smaller fi elds.

Pleasant View Park

Off Willmar Avenue, near West 5th Street Off Willmar Avenue in the northwest section of the city, Pleasant View has playground equipment and play area.

Prairie Park

Between East Butler Street and East Quail Drive, northwest of the cemetery Along Butler Street, Prairie Park is a 40-acre nature park, featuring 2.5 miles of walking and crosscountry skiing trails, playground equipment and a picnic shelter provided by the Rotary Club.

South Park

West Ripley Street and South Swift Avenue This square-block park on the 300 block of Miller Avenue S. is home to two tennis courts and a volleyball court. Pickleball courts were added in late summer of 2020, and new playground equipment has been proposed for construction in summer of 2021.

South Street Playground

North Davis and East South Street South Street Playground is an open lot at the corner of North Davis and East South Street with playground equipment.

Sunrise Terrace Park

Off East Second Street, near North Gorman Avenue The park, located along Sunrise Drive in eastern Litchfield, has updated playground equipment and a small, man-made sliding hill.

Thompson Park

South Chandler between East Ripley and East St. Paul streets

An open play area and swing set mark Thompson Park, located on South Chandler between East Ripley and East St. Paul streets. Meeker County Parks

Clear Lake Park

Off Clear Lake, south of Watkins on County Road 2 Located three miles south of Watkins on County Road 2, the 34.4acre park includes a picnic area and shelter, boat landing and a short hiking trail.

Darwin-Dassel Park

Between Darwin and Dassel on Highway 12 Meeker county’s largest park features 160 acres of activities. There are 6.5 miles of hiking, crosscountry skiing and horseback riding trails. Shelters and picnic tables are on the lookout hill – a popular sliding hill in the winter. The park extends south of U.S. Highway 12 with additional trails and picnic area.

Greenleaf Lake State Recreation Area

17980 640th Ave., Litchfi eld This new, 365-acre recreation area has water access to two lakes, a fishing pier, trails for hiking and cross-country skiing and special season archery hunting. Visitors can see portions of Greenleaf and Sioux lakes, along with several wetlands. For more information call 320-796-2161 or visit www. mndnr.gov/greenleaf.

Finnish Memorial Park

Just west of Kingston on Highway 27 Ideal for canoeing down the North Fork Crow River, Finnish Memorial Park sits just west of Kingston on County Road 27. The 17-acre park has a canoe landing, tennis court, shelter and playground equipment.

Koronis Regional Park

14076 Bluefi eld Road, Paynesville On the southwest shore of Lake Koronis, this 62-acre park, which is jointly owned by Meeker and Stearns counties, offers overnight camping with electricity and water hookup, bathrooms and showers. It also has a swimming beach, playground equipment, boat landing, lookout tower, picnic shelters with kitchen facilities and several recreational facilities. A walking/ biking trail encircles the lake. To make shelter or camping reservations, call 320- 276-8843.

Block parties during the summer at various city parks have brought Litchfi eld residents together for fun and food, in addition to building community spirit. Anderson Gardens in bloom and its gazebo offer a peaceful retreat.

Litchfi eld Fire Department mascot Sparky waves to visitors at a Prairie Park block party. A mix of rain and sun allowed a rainbow to form over Optimist Park.

Lake Manuella Park

21239 County Highway 9, Darwin Known for its swimming beach, the park has picnic facilities, bathrooms and a changing house. It is located on County Highway 9, five miles south of U.S. Highway 12

Shaw Memorial Park

31577 County Highway 1, Litchfi eld Located in Forest City along Crow River, the 10-acre park has picnic shelters, playground equipment, a softball field, basketball court and ice skating rink in the winter.

Spring Lake Park

72599 240th St., Dassel Situated between Spring Lake and Long Lake one mile north of Dassel, the 13-acre park offers fi shing opportunities with a boat landing and fi shing dock, as well as picnic shelters, playground equipment and a popular Little League fi eld. A new trail connects the park to Dassel.

Thompson Park

13099 525th Ave., Cosmos Located on 525th Avenue one mile west of Cosmos, 22-acre Thompson Park has picnic shelters, playground equipment, ball fi eld, volleyball court and fi shing dock.

West Ripley Park

25288 County Highway 1, Litchfi eld Located just south of Litchfield on County Highway 1, West Ripley Park has a boat landing, fishing pier, playground equipment, sand volleyball court, bike path and large picnic shelter. The 5.6-acre park lies is located on the western shore of Lake Ripley.

Woodland Park

27299 Minnesota Highway 15, Dassel Woodland Park boasts a total of 80 acres for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and bird watching. It is located between Kingston and Dassel on Minnesota Highway 22.