School is finally out, and your kids are undoubtedly looking forward to all the awesome summer fun there is to be had over the next few months.
Here are 5 fun ideas to get YOUR family’s summer bucket list started. I’ll bet there’s at least one thing on this list you haven’t tried before…
1. Otsego Splash Pad
This is a favorite local place to cool down when the temps get high. The splash pad at Otsego’s Prairie Park is free and open all summer long. The splash area is probably best suited for kids ages 2–8. The park also has a nice playground, two picnic shelters, paths for walking/biking, and lots of green space for your kids to run around. (Click here for my full review of Prairie Park & Splash Pad)
2. Beebe Lake Swimming Beach
Located in St. Michael, Beebe Lake Regional Park offers a great place for your kids to swim and play in the sand. You’ll also find a playground, picnic area, fishing pier, and hiking trails, and if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even plan a family camping trip here! (more info)
Central Park in Albertville is one of our typical hangouts when the weather is nice. It’s located near our house, which makes it easy to get to either on a walk or as a quick stop while we’re out running other errands. But there are a few other features to this usually quiet, classic-style park make it worth a visit for us.
First, the merry-go-round. Whatever happened to merry-go-rounds? I feel like they appear at parks less and less often these days, and when you do see them at a “modern” park, they’re the huge plastic kind with built-in seats like this one. Don’t get me wrong, I love safety of that new style merry-go-round for my littlest kids, but there’s something about the old style that inspires creativity and lets kids experiment with physics and momentum. Sure, there’s danger involved, but some childhood memories need to include a little danger, haha! We all survived, right? 😀
Second, the smaller of the two slide structures is great for my 1-year-old. It has a set of wide, very shallow stairs that are perfect for a crawler or early walker, isn’t too hard for mom to supervise, and has a nice little slide that isn’t too intimidating or dangerous for the tiny ones.
Finally, there is a good bit of shade around. In addition to a covered picnic table right next to the playground, this park has lots of trees that provide shade for a picnic, nursing a baby, or just some quiet time for mom while the kids play.
Central Park also has a skate park, volleyball court, and basketball court that are located not far from the playground. There is also a large reserveable shelter as well as hockey and baseball facilities.
This park gets very busy during Albertville Friendly City Days and is also more popular on FYCC event days and during the farmer’s market (Thursday afternoons/evenings in summer).
Location: Near Albertville City Hall and the Church of St. Albert, on Lander Ave just off 57th Street (map)
Features: Playground, small gazebo with picnic table, skate park, volleyball court, basketball court
Playground Turf: Gravel
Recommended age range: 1–8
Restrooms: Portable
Parking: Street parking by playground, Paved lot within walking distance
Trails: None
Last weekend my family was in Maple Grove for a charity event and couldn’t resist stopping to play at the new Central Park in Maple Grove. Have you been there yet?
My favorite thing about this modern, creative playground is that it truly has something for everyone, with seven unique play zones, each tailored for different ages and interests.
There is a tiny tots play area in one corner of the park that is designated for kids 2–5, and I would even say it’s a great place to let your 1-year-old crawl and climb around. On the other end of the spectrum, there are several large climbing structures—including a 24-foot climbing tower—that can keep older kids entertained for hours. 
I’ve even seen the occasional teenager hanging out atop the large rock walls. My husband has said he wishes they would open it up to adults only on occasion because it’s just so fun to play there! 😉
As much as we love visiting here, there are a few drawbacks to this park. First, it can get really busy there during the summer months, and because the park is so large and spread out, I find that I really have to work to keep an eye on both kids as they run around. Second, there’s almost no shade at the playground until the trees grow in. There are some small canopies over the sand area, but as a parent you’ll find next to no shade, so take care on sunny days, especially if you have a baby with you. Also, some of the structures are metal. My daughter has more than once burned her legs on the slide and now refers to this playground as “the hot park.” 😀
If your kid has noise issues, beware the restrooms because the hand dryers are about a million decibels in that echo-y space! Finally, dogs are not permitted on the playground, so you may want to leave Fido at home.
In addition to the terrific playground, Central Park features a splash pad in the summer, an ice skating loop in the winter, and an indoor pavilion that’s great for a private party. (Oh, and did I mention indoor restrooms??!) You can also do lots of walking here, around the pond (~1 mile loop) or through the grounds in front of the pavilion. Here’s a map to get you started: link (pdf) If you do go walking, make sure to check out the beautiful garden and labyrinth (more info).
Location: 12000 Central Park Way, Maple Grove (map)
Playground Turf: Rubber, sand, artificial grass
Recommended age range: 1–12
Restrooms: Indoor (there’s also a changing area if you’re visiting the splash pad)
Concessions: Yes
Parking: Paved lot, street parking
More info: http://www.maplegrovemn.gov/parks-and-recreation/central-park-maple-grove
Please leave a comment if you have questions or anything else to add!
Highwoods Park is easily one of our favorite places in STMA to spend a summer morning.
Located on Frankfort Parkway in the Highwoods neighborhood, this park is just a hop and a jump from highway 241, making it an easy stop following a trip to Cub Foods or the library.
The park is clean and well-kept, with a large playground and plenty of green space for running around in. The playground itself is fun and creative, with a couple of features I’d never seen before. It’s also a climber-kid’s paradise, with at least four climbing structures, three kinds of monkey bars, and five different slides.
The playground overlooks the athletic fields and a slope down to the townhome neighborhood, making it an excellent place to go sledding in the wintertime!
Highwoods Park
Location: South side of Frankfort Pkwy at Mason Ave NE (map)
Features: Playground, gazebo with a large picnic table, little library, baseball field, soccer field, basketball court
Playground Turf: Wood chips, plus a small sand area
Recommended age range: 3–10
Restrooms: Portable
Parking: Paved lot
Trails: Single sidewalk around playground
Time to grab the kids and head to the park! Here is a list of parks in St. Michael for you to check out this season.
(Click here to jump to a list of Albertville parks)
Beebe Lake Park
Southwest St. Michael near Buffalo | 7250 10th Street NE (map)
– Playground, picnic area, swimming beach, hiking trails, fishing pier, campground (more info)
Frankfort Hills Park
Beebe Lake Road and Jaber Avenue NE | 1210 Jaber Avenue NE (map)
– Baseball field, soccer field, basketball court (more info)
Gutzwiller Park
On County Road 119, 1/2 mile northwest of County Road 35 | 4455 Kady Ave NE (map) Details
– Playground, gazebo, picnic table, soccer fields, horseshoe pit, paved trail
Highwoods Park
South side of Frankfort Parkway at Mason Avenue NE (map) Details
– Playground, gazebo, picnic table, baseball field, soccer field, basketball court
The Landings Park
West side of Crow Hassan Park Reserve | 22nd Circle NE (map)
– Paved trail, green space
The Preserve Park
Near Big Woods Elem. and Middle School East | 13655 50th Street NE (map)
– Playground, gazebo, picnic tables, baseball field, soccer field, basketball court, paved trail (more info)
Recreation Center
Adjacent to the Crow River | 32nd Street & Lander Ave NE (map)
– Upper park: softball field, soccer fields, paved trail (more info)
– Lower park: baseball field, softball fields, tennis courts, BMX track, playground, hockey rink, skating area, picnic shelter, horseshoe pit, trails
Swamp Lake Park
1/4 mile west of Main Street on Heights Road | 398 Heights Road NW (map) Details
– Playground, basketball court, soccer field, paved trail, green space
Town Center Park
Adjacent to St. Michael City Hall | 43rd Place NE (map)
– Playground, splash pad, picnic shelter, concessions, pickleball courts, green space
Walnut Park
1/4 mile west of Main Street on Walnut Avenue | 300 Walnut Avenue SW (map) Details
– Playground, gazebo, picnic tables, baseball field, soccer field, basketball court, paved trail
Welter Playlot
South of Middle School West | 399 Ivory Ave NE (map) Details
– Playground, basketball court
See also >> Albertville Parks