Lions Park

(2 reviews)

2.4 mi

We went here on Memorial Day morning, mainly to look at the veteran memorial. It's a beautiful park…read morewith a lot to offer - we looked at the helicopter, the memorial, walked on the path around the park, then over to the playground. There was a lot of construction on the trail, so we were a little limited, but there was still plenty to keep us busy. The memorial + the helicopter were nice. Each is at a separate spot, about 30-40 feet from each other (I'm not awesome at guesstimating this distance, but it wasn't far). Each has a sidewalk going up to it, but the memorial has another walkway after the sidewalk stops - it's made of bricks with people's names on the brick. We think the names were the people who donated to the memorial, but it didn't say anywhere, so we aren't sure. The memorial is good sized with many names on it, and new names being added (you can tell by the stone bring more freshly cut). It's sobering to be there, but good to remember. The children were thoroughly into the helicopter - asking about all the parts and how it worked. After we accomplished what we had come for, we walked a bit, then ended at the playground. It is a good size with lots to keep a 4, 6, and 8 year old busy. Perhaps we will come here again, it looked like there were some interesting walking paths, but a bit was closed while we were there.

I'm on work travel for the month in the Shakopee area, so this is one of the first places I headed…read moreto get some info on fun things to do in the nearby area. I walked via the State Trail along the highway (which is apparently a 70 mile hike if you do the whole thing, loosely following the river!). The Visitor Center has many helpful pamphlets providing info on local activities, recreational parks, hiking trails, seasonal events, and more, including maps. The receptionist was really friendly and welcoming, and offered a couple suggestions of places to explore. There is a Veteran's Memorial and helicopter out front, plenty of picnic space with tables and lots of green grass, as well as a playground for kids to run around and enjoy. If you walk over the bridge in the back (north), you'll be reconnected with another trail. Further west there is a duck pond and a short educational trail with placards that have interesting historical info about the Shakopee area on them.

Duck pond!

See all

Along the path.

Lake Ann Park

4.8

(10 reviews)

5.9 mi

Great place. Nice pic nic, great concerts, very clean. Will be back to rent a paddle boat.read more

Since retirement, my wife and I would bring our young grandchildren here for a stroll every…read moremorning. Very peaceful here and I truly enjoy the scenery. The kids love the playground here.

Cool critters to climb through. Soft ground surface too.

See all

Lake Ann lily pad flora. the water is so clean and clear you can look down 15 feet and see fish and aquatic plantlife.

Huber Park

(1 review)

1.4 mi

This is a small park situated in downtown Shakopee along highway 101. It connects with the State…read moreTrail along the Mississippi River. There is a little outdoor amphitheater in the center with ample seating where they currently do movie nights on Fridays and Saturdays. Bathrooms are well-lit and clean. There is a water fountain to refill your water bottle as well as a soda pop vending machine. A large picnic area has a roof covering over it. A goodly-sized playground for kids to enjoy is made of wood with physical challenge elements like monkey bars, climbing wall, and balance ropes, as well as lots of swings. It is very charming. The ground consists of old crumbled up rubber tire bits so your kids won't hurt themselves if they fall. There is a parking lot directly beside the playground.

Overlooking the playground and swing set.

Connects to the State Trail.

See all

Green grass and paved trail.

Staring Lake Park

4.6

5.2 mi

The city revamped this beautiful park two years ago and it is one of the favorite destinations in…read moreEden Prairie. The Amphitheater seating is reflected in a smaller seating area surrounding a smaller, more flexible space for concerts and kid-friendly productions as well as private parties. The enormous playground is multi-level and has play structures for everyone from toddlers to teens. Today a group of tweens was climbing the web structure, laughing and playing and challenging each other to get to the top. The different playground levels are all accessible by slides and steps and ramps and the wood chip base is interspersed with flexible, bouncy "miracle turf," the springy rubber paths perfect for differently-abled children. There is a large swing with safety straps, spinners, acoustic drums, bells, and a rolling rain maker - thousands of BBs encased in plexiglass that shower endlessly with the turn of a wheel. My grandson calls this the Big Playground and spent well over an hour running and shrieking and playing on this gorgeous spring day. There are plentiful picnic tables, actual restrooms in the park building, lots of parking, and easy access to the trails to walk around Staring Lake. (Tip: it's pronounced "Starring," something residents know but newcomers may not. Don't ask me, I said "Staring" for years after moving here ...) Bring a snack or bring lunch and relax while your kids burn off all that energy!

Park and trails are lovely. Unfortunately the fishing pier is surrounded by lily pads, rendering it…read moreimpossible to fish from. My son was very disappointed.

Staring Sunrise

See all

Trail map

Nicollet Commons Park

4.8

(8 reviews)

12.8 mi

Best kept secret and splash pad!! Super lovely park with all these places for kids to play in the…read morewater. They have public restrooms by the flags if you need them. Cool murals and beautiful flowers. Very beautiful peaceful place. Lots of places to sit - concrete benches and grass.

My son absolutely loves this park! Such a cool splash pad and wading pool area for kids and the…read morecommunity to use for free. They also host party on the plaza here during the summer which we've enjoyed. They have music, food trucks, movies in the park, and other festivals held here. During the winter they light up the trees, so beautiful!

Water fountain play structures.

Low shallow water for toddlers or little

See all

One of the fountains

Edinborough Park

4.1

(81 reviews)

12.0 mi

This place is AWESOME! I decided to get my boys (9,5) out of the house and they had a blast! They…read morehave already been asking when we can go back! There is free parking. Walk in and pay the fee for the kiddos. As of Jan 2026 it was $10 a kid with unlimited time. Parents/guardians are free. There is a large park towards the end of the building! It kept my kiddos plenty busy! There is seating for the adults. There is also a gym space for kids to run, balls to play with, mini basketball hoops and items for the little kids to push ride on! There is also a pool to do laps and a gym with equipment, but I'm unsure if those cost extra. You can do birthday parties here! Check the website for additional information!! They do have 2 spots where you can get snacks and picnic tables to eat! Overall this was a very solid experience and we will happily be back!

Perfect indoor park for toddlers during the long winter months but can be super busy.read more

See all

Carver County Minnewashta Park

7.2 mi

I love this park! The first visit we had was to shoot photos showing the beauty of Minnesota and to…read morepotentially include in a calendar. As we walked the trails with our dogs - on leash - I had some reminiscing about riding my horse on the other side of the lake and sailing with my father. Wonderful memories. Lake Minnewashta Regional Park is a 340 acre park on the shores of Lake Minnewashta. Facilities include a swimming beach, bathhouse, off-leash dog area, reservable picnic shelters, sand volleyball courts, creative playground (which looked like a regular playground), paved boat access, paved bike trails, turf trails for walking and skiing, ski/snowshoe rental, and vending machines. If your dogs are good at dog parks, this is one to visit! The Off Leash Dog Area is fenced-in off-leash dog area at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park. This 18-acre site has a separate area for small dogs and approximately one mile of trails. To get in to the off-leash dog area you'll need either a $6 daily or $28 annual vehicle permit. Both are able to be purchased through the honor box at the park entrance by the gate house. Definitely worth visiting!

***This is a review about their off-leash dog park.***…read more Even though I've only visited a few dog parks, Minnewashta's must rank amongst the top! Essentially, Carver County dedicated a small forest to everyone's favorite four-legged friend, where plenty of tall trees, fresh water streams, gigantic leaf piles, paw and foot friendly trails, sizable grassy green spaces, and speedy squirrels for them to chase exist. In other words, dog heaven resides in Chanhassen. Also, don't worry about your pup running away, because there's a huge fence that wraps around the entire park. Aside from the park itself, prior to entering, there's a little area with a water fountain and hose. Visitors can use the hose down your pup, before loading him or her into the car. For $24, you can purchase the annual pass. Otherwise, like me, you'll have to pay $5 per visit. From what I heard from another dog owner, though, no one mans the tollbooth after September, so the park relies on the honor system for payment. Once you arrive, drive slightly past the tollbooth, and open up a metal lid that holds paper envelopes. Put your $5 in and write your name on it. It's a bit of a cumbersome process to enter, but seeing the biggest smile on my dog's face was well worth it.

See all

Purgatory Creek Park

4.6

7.2 mi

We took our pup for a walk around purgatory creek park and appreciated the approximately one mile…read moreloop around the water. Having the loop non-paved, and the section crossing the water being uneven, may be difficult for those with accessibility concerns. The seating area and landscaping seemed to be well maintained. We appreciated having a bathroom as well.

This park was really a pleasant surprise. I accidently found it and I was so glad I did - looked…read morelike it had a great walking trail around it but then you can also cross the lake and go out to explore a little on this 'island' in the middle. Such a cool place to explore and see some fun animals. I meant to make it to the sunset but was not close enough to it - I am guessing they are amazing.

The ice cream man is here.

See all

Casperson Park

(4 reviews)

14.9 mi

Very beautiful community park. Family fun for every one. Heart fishing dock and boat landing.read more

This is such a beautiful park! Big playground! Sand pit. Green open space. Pier for enjoying the…read morelake and fishing. Trails for running and trails for biking!

Spotted a baby dear while Walking through casperson Park

My boys fishing

See all

Round Lake Park Shelter

4.3

(8 reviews)

6.4 mi

Fun way to spend the day! The beach area was currently closed 06/02/2026 but the splash pad and…read morepark were so much fun we did not miss going into the beach area to swim! Plenty of seating and grass areas to sit and have lunch and play all day!

Shhh! Dont go here!…read more You should totally go here. I've been going here for years, including before and during the times of Covid. The swimming beach is rarely crowded. The life guards are legit, like you want them to be. The water is big enough for little kid play and big kid or adult swimming. There's a splash pad! There's a fishing pier! There's a shady place with tables to eat! There are decent bathrooms! And it's free, like parks should be.

Play area rules/ breakdown

Splash pad

See all

Older kids play park

Shady Oak Beach

4.2

(13 reviews)

10.3 mi

This place I have been SOOOO many times! The high dive is so fun and exhilarating…read more... The food is amazing (I recommend SpongeBob popsicle) The water is not polluted because they do not let and speedboats or stuff like that (although you always wonder if something is lurking in the depths....) If you are wearing goggles I recommend looking for the fish under the mini docks, but DO NOT wear them in the deep. It makes everything scaryyyyy~

Great place to enjoy a sunny afternoon. Shady Oak beach is…read morewell maintained and the staff is super helpful and friendly. When my son lost his glasses two lifeguards - Beth and Josh - jumped into action to help retrieve them Thank you!

Shady Oak Pool

See all

Crystal Lake Beach

4.4

14.3 mi

This is the "beach" we grew up at. So many memories of my dad bringing me here whenever I wanted to…read morego for a swim. It's usually really nice and clean. The fishing area is separated from the swimming area. Area to wash off the sand when you are done for the day. Plenty of parking. Playground nearby for kiddos who don't want to swim. Bring your beach toys for a nice day at the lake. Great place for picnic too.

This is a smaller beach which has its pros and cons…read more Pros: family friendly, easily walkable, grills, dog friendly Cons: can get crowded, drinks are not permitted So, I believe it is perfect for a stroll and a family grill. However, if you are looking for a hang out with your 21+ friends to drink and lay out I would recommend another beach. They have a beautiful dock for some quiet reading and fishing. However, I have yet to go down there because it's always being used.

See all

Madison's Place Playground

4.8

(16 reviews)

30.2 mi

Found this place on accident and very happy I did. The playground is very large and splash pad is…read moredirectly next to it. The location is clean and it has a very great story about why it was created. I highly suggest it

This is an amazing playground and one of our favorites...not only is this a playground but it also…read morehas a splash pad. Madison's is named after a little girl who passed away when she was young. The cool part of this playground is that it is accessible to those who are handicapped. Lots of fun ramps, slides and more modern playground fun stuff. Try to score one of the trees to put a blanket under so you can chill in the shade.

See all

Nine Mile Creek Lower Valley Trail System

11.4 mi

The address is a little mislabeled, it will take you to some public school. Back up, about 0.5…read moremiles away from the underpass, there's a little bridge with a parking lot, that's the trail head. The Trail itself is really wonderful. Deep vegetation, a little too many insects but otherwise great. There's a beautiful creek that runs alongside the trail. The animals you'll see the most are dogs that are being walked. It seems to be a favorite among Bloomington locals.

Beautiful park! I went in the winter and between the snowy creek, bubbling brook, and bird noises…read moreit just can't get much better. Yes it's hard to completely escape the road noise, but a small price for a lovely hike so close to the city.

See all

Eden Prairie Community Center

3.4

(25 reviews)

6.6 mi

I'm not a member. This is for the toddler / family swim time at the Eden Prairie Community Center…read moreand overall, it's a wonderful experience. The water play area is perfect for little ones -- warm, safe, and sized just right. The staff has always been friendly, and the atmosphere feels welcoming for families with young kids who are still getting comfortable in the water. The only thing holding this back from a five-star experience is the family area bathrooms. They aren't dirty, but they definitely need more frequent cleaning and restocking during busy toddler swim hours. With so many young families coming through, a little more attention there would make a big difference in comfort and overall impression. Still a solid place to bring the little ones for a fun swim -- just hoping the bathroom upkeep improves to match the rest of the experience. Price is okay for someone that only comes occasionally - but it's a good resource to have if you're local - Try them out!

This is regarding the fitness classes. The pools are wonderful…read more With the Y and Lifetime members coming here it's getting busier. Most of the classes fill up fast-you need to get on a list a week before usually when you're in class. which can be stressful. The management doesn't seem to care. Plenty of space open in the studios after late morning and wouldn't add classes especially cycle, mix it up and body pump! Pretty sad that management doesn't really care

Kids swimming area

Fabulous pools

See all

Bay Rentals Inc

3.9

(29 reviews)

12.1 mi

Overall, my friend and I had a pretty good experience. The jet skis were superb and the weather out…read morewas beautiful. We were debating doing the 1 or 2 hour rental. We decided to go with the 2 hour rental and were happy that we did. The 1 hour rental would not have been enough time given the massive size of the lake. My only critique is to train the young high school boys a little bit about customer service. They were very rude while assisting us with getting on and off the jet skis and looked like it was a pain to be helping us. On the other hand, the high school girl checking us in and out was great!

Overall we got to have fun on the lake but I will say these machines are a bit beat up and seem to…read moreneed a tune up. As I would turn the machine would lose a lot of power and my partner ran out of gas with a hour left, so they didn't fill up both machines asine still had half a tank left. $600 deposit and make sure to take a good video of the machines. The process of receiving instruction was a little odd as a younger kid was giving us rules then a seemingly drunk older man in a truck kept talking over him who I assume is the owner? Kind of a weird dynamic going on here. The process of taking off and riding was good no issues there.