Park it:

Local places to picnic and play

Detroit Lakes City Park, located at one end of the city’s mile-long beach on Detroit Lake, features a large playground for kids (plus another right across the street, near Washington Ballpark), a historic pavilion, multiple shelters and picnic areas, a bandshell, paved walkways, a disc golf course, tennis courts across the street, and more. Located not far from the downtown area, and within easy walking distance to an array of lakeside restaurants like Hub 41 and Zorbaz, this park is the premier place for outdoor events like concerts and festivals.

Detroit Lakes is also home to Peoples Park, located behind Zorbaz and home to the city’s new Pickleball Courts, as well as city parks at Long Lake and along the South Shore. There’s also a hard-to-miss Veterans Memorial Park right downtown on Highway 10, as well as a memorial park for Civil War Veterans, G.A.R. Park, at 317 Washington Ave. For more information about Detroit Lakes city parks, visit cityofdetroitlakes.com.

Outside of the city, Dunton Locks is a good place for a picnic, with multiple shelters and gathering spots, paved pathways for walking and biking, footbridges, fishing and more.

In Perham, Paul Miller Park, located north of town on Little Pine Lake, has picnic areas, a playground, paved pathways, water access and open spaces for play. There’s also the residential County Pines Park, on Pine Needle Drive in Perham, and Arvig Park, just north of town; these also feature play areas and more. Krauss Park, on the Southwest side of Perham, is a large grassy block that contains playground equipment, a picnic area and flower gardens.

The state park nearest to both Detroit Lakes and Perham is Maplewood State Park. About a 30 minute drive away near Pelican Rapids, Maplewood features all the amenities of a state park, including recreation trails and paved paths, a beach area, multiple water accesses for boating, canoeing and kayaking, shelters and picnic areas, camping and occasional events. For more information, visit the DNR website at tinyurl.com/MaplewoodState-Park.

Wadena boasts a total of more than 200 acres of playgrounds and parks. All parks and playgrounds close at 10 p.m.

Sunnybrook Park, just east of Wadena with access from U.S. Highway 10, is the largest park in the city, with 78 acres of grass, water, pines and oak trees. A large open play area, shelter, restrooms and plenty of room to picnic are all offered at Tapley Park. The park is located on Lincoln Avenue Southwest and encompasses about 18 acres.

The Southwest Playground on Fourth Street provides numerous activities for children, including a playground, courts for basketball, tennis and volleyball, soccer and baseball fields, and skating in the winter. At the center of the city is Burlington Northern Park, a place where people of all ages gather during the summertime. Also visit Green Island, this private property is open to all. Enjoy the nature park featuring walking trails, artscapes, picnic areas, gardens and even a meditation hut.

Dog Parks

► Wardale Dog Park, in Perham, is located right off Highway 8 just north of town, near Arvig Park and Lakeside Golf Course.

► In Detroit Lakes, the city dog park is located in the industrial section of town, across the street from Lakeshirts, at 1023 10th Avenue SE. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, and has separate areas for small and large dogs.

► Bark Park, in Wadena, is located in Sunnybrook Park.

Skate Parks

► The Detroit Lakes Skate Park, at People’s Park on Phinney Avenue, is open from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. every day.

► Kowabunga Skate and Bike Park in Perham is just south of the softball fields along County Highway 51.

Golfing

Whether you’re looking for an easy evening game among friends, a competitive match, nine holes or 18, there’s something for every golfer in and around the Detroit Lakes and Perham areas. Five minutes from Detroit Lakes are the Detroit Country Club, Lakeview Golf Course, Forest Hills Golf Course, Maple Hills Golf Course and River Hills Golf Course. Of note is the week-long Pine to Palm Amateur Golf Tournament, one of Minnesota’s so-called “resort circuit” tourneys. Pine to Palm has been held at Detroit Country Club every August since 1932.

In Perham, Perham Lakeside Golf Club, offers three different courses with 27 holes of championship golf. A restaurant and event center are on site, at 320 17th Street NW.

Whitetail Run Golf Course in Wadena is an 18-hole golf course located 4 miles north of Wadena on U.S. Highway 71. Facilities include dining and a pro shop.