Forest Lake and the surrounding area is lucky to have so many great parks and playgrounds for kids. My kids have swung, spun, and raced through many of them ... and definitely have their favorites!
Here’s a list of our family’s top five favorite parks and playgrounds in and around Forest Lake and the reasons we love them:
Park name: Big Marine Park Reserve
Location: 17495 Manning Trail N, Marine on St Croix, MN 55047
Features: Big Marine is a park we go to when we want something to keep us busy for an entire morning. We always pack a lunch for this outing! There is a huge playground area with lots of equipment for kids big and small, tons of picnic spots, nice (and clean) restroom facilities, a public beach with a nice changing area, and paved trails.
What my kids love: The giant slide! This park even keeps my oldest (the one who says she's too "big" for parks) busy for hours. They also adore the beach.
What I love: There is an entire section of equipment for younger ages that are sectioned off from the bigger stuff. I also love the trails! If we are feeling really adventurous we'll pack up the bikes and go for a ride through the beautiful park. There are also picnic tables near a view to the boat launch so if you have little ones who need a little distraction while they eat - I consider this free entertainment!
NOTE: You do have to purchase a pass to park at Big Marine ($7 for the day or $30 for the year) but your pass will get you into all county parks in Washington, Anoka and Carver County.
Park name: ECFE Playground
Location: 200 4th St SW, Forest Lake, MN 55025 (the playground is on the West side of the building, just North of the parking lot)
Features: Gated play area with equipment perfect for younger kids. This park is definitely geared toward toddler and preschool aged kids. It's a nature-based playground with lots of different hands-on materials like sticks logs, dirt, musical instruments, etc. Keep in mind that this park is used by the Early Childhood Family Education classes and preschool so you need to be respectful of classes and there are rules posted next to the gated door. This park is usually a late afternoon choice for us (after the end of the school day).
What my kids love: The wooden xylophone and the log area. They could "build" with those logs for hours - or at least the toddler version of hours!
What I love: I have always loved taking my kids to this park around ages 2-4 so this is a park that I take my toddler to when the big kids have other activities. The equipment is really great for this age group. Also, one word - gated! I have a toddler who's also a runner so it's nice to be in space where we are a little more protected from that. Of course, then they figure out how to open the gate.....
NOTE: There is no bathroom here at all. You'll have to use the portable toilet by the baseball field so plan accordingly.
Park name: Columbus City Park
Location: Notre Dame St NE and Kettle River Blvd NE Columbus, MN 55025
Features: New and unique playground equipment, baseball field, open field area, picnic area, tennis courts and a walking path. Portal bathroom available.
What my kids love: The bridge over the creek. The walking path includes a bridge that takes you over the creek to the other half of the park. We always have to plan for a walk as part of our play here so they can cross the bridge.
What I love: The equipment is different than most traditional playgrounds so if we've been to a lot of parks that week, this is one that we'll go to just so we can change things up a bit.
Park name: Kulencamp Park
Location: 230th St N, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Features: Playground, baseball fields, huge open space, kid-friendly hiking trails, one portable bathroom.
What my kids love: The last time we went I let the kids lead our hike and they were beyond thrilled! If you walk straight back (North) from the playground, into the clearing in the trees, you will find a nice wide path hiking trail. It weaves a bit but we quickly found that it always comes back to the same place so I let the kids take me on an adventure. There is a creek if you go too far back so just make sure you stay close by the little ones!
What I love: Honestly, I probably enjoy the hiking just as much as they do. :) I also love that this is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood with no busy roads or traffic nearby. It truly is a hidden gem!
Park name: Cedar Park
Location: 2nd Ave NW and 7th St NW, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Features: Playground, picnic tables, basketball court, gaga ball, one portable bathroom.
What my kids love: DINOSAUR SLIDE! They love this thing! I will say though that the only way to get to the slide is either using a cargo net that goes about 20 ft in the air or to climb the dinosaur itself (it's like a rock wall). This is perfect for my older kids but freaks me out with my very adventurous 2-year-old who insists on doing what his siblings do. So I do have to watch him pretty closely at this park.
What I love: Dinosaur aside, the other equipment at this park is pretty neat. The merry-go-round is more of a modern version where the kids use a giant wheel in the center to spin themselves around. I also love that it's close to stores (and coffee) in Forest Lake so this park is a good break when we are running errands or I want to grab some coffee before we play.
That’s our family’s top 5 list for favorite parks and playgrounds in the Forest Lake area, but I bet your kids have their own favorites! Let me know what’s on your family’s list for Forest Lake’s best parks and playgrounds by leaving a comment below or emailing me at ashleyberube@macaronikid.com. I’ll be doing more Forest Lake playground and park reviews in the future, so I would love to have your input!
Have a great week!
