Parks

Prior Lake Parks

Prior Lake’s park and trail system includes 49 parks with a wide range of amenities.
Park types include:
- Neighborhood parks with play and gathering spaces
- Natural resource parks for outdoor enjoyment
- Community parks with athletic facilities
- Two public beaches

System highlights

Over 1,000 acres of parkland
More than 80 miles of sidewalks and trails

Park hours

Open daily from 5:00 AM–10:00 PM

Park Information and Reservations

View the list of parks and available amenities below.
Reserve a City park facility online through the reservation page.
Explore Prior Lake parks and trails using the interactive park and trail map.

Regional Parks in Prior Lake

Two regional parks in Prior Lake are operated by Scott County and the Three Rivers Park District:

Cleary Lake Regional Park

Spring Lake Regional Park

Visit the county webpages for details, amenities, and updates for each park.

Archery Range

Ponds archery cropped

Archery Range at Ponds Park

The City of Prior Lake offers a free, public archery range at Ponds Park, located between Fields 8 and 9.
The range includes:
- Six shooting lanes
- Targets set at 10 to 50 yards
- A designated lane for broadhead arrow practice

There is no fee to use the archery range. For everyone’s safety, all users must follow posted rules.

Archery Range Rules

Hours

Open sunrise to sunset

Shooting Guidelines

Broadhead arrows are allowed only in the designated lane
Shoot only at established targets in your lane
Maximum of 6 arrows per round
Be courteous of others waiting to shoot

Safety Rules

Archers must retrieve arrows at the same time
Do not shoot while someone is retrieving arrows
Bows are not allowed down‑range
Pets, alcohol, and firearms are not permitted

Closures

The range may close during City‑sponsored programming

Emergency

Call 911
Location: 17429 Ponds Parkway SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372

Memorial Benches

Memorial Bench Program

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Honor a Loved One in a Prior Lake Park

The Memorial Bench Program allows friends and family to honor a loved one with a dedicated park bench in one of Prior Lake’s parks or along the trail system.

A memorial bench:

Creates a lasting tribute
Enhances the park experience for visitors
Supports and strengthens the community park system

Prior Lake parks and trails are enjoyed daily and serve as gathering places for events, celebrations, and quiet reflection. Your gift will be appreciated by the community for years to come.

Choose a Bench Location

Benches may be placed in designated areas within the parks and trails system.
View available locations using the Memorial Bench Map.
- Available benches are shown as blue dots.
- Toggle between Available Options and Donations to view existing benches and plaques.

How the Program Works

The City installs the bench on a suitable surface in the selected park.
If no suitable surface exists, a concrete pad may be installed for an additional fee.
Each bench includes a 4” x 6” bronze plaque mounted on the backrest.
- Plaque limit: 6 lines, up to 24 characters per line
The City maintains the bench for a minimum of 10 years.
- If current contact information is available, donors may be offered the option to renew the memorial.

Cost

$2,500 total
- $2,200 for the bench
- $300 for the bronze plaque
Additional $1,000 if a concrete pad is required for a new location

Request a Memorial Bench

View available benches and submit a request online:
- City of Prior Lake, MN | SeeMyLegacy

Questions?

Contact the Parks & Recreation Manager
Email: SHart@PriorLakeMN.gov
Phone: 952‑447‑9822

Outdoor Ice Rinks

Outdoor Ice Rinks Update

The ice rinks and warming house are closed for the season.

Ice Rink Locations and Amenities

Lakefront Park

Two hockey rinks and one recreational (pleasure) rink
Rink #2 usage:
- Prior Lake‑Savage Hockey Association
- Weekdays, 6:00–8:00 PM
Lights: On until 10:00 PM daily
Portable toilets: Available onsite
Lost & Found: Items are kept onsite and may be claimed during warming house hours

Lakefront Park Warming House (Seasonal)

Opening date: December 17, 2025

Regular Schedule

Weekdays: 5:00–9:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00–8:00 PM

Holiday Break Schedule (December 22–January 2)

Weekdays: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM
Closed: December 24–25

Jeffers Pond Park

Outdoor rink available

Northwood Meadows Park

Outdoor rink available

Sand Point Park

Outdoor rink available

Willows Park

Lighted rink
Activate lights using the push‑button timer onsite

Woodridge Park

Lighted rink
Activate lights using the push‑button timer onsite

How Outdoor Ice Rinks Are Made

Ice creation is weather dependent.
Staff begin preparations in early winter by insulating and sealing drains at the paved hockey rinks at Lakefront Park.
Once temperatures remain below freezing and favorable conditions are forecasted:
- Rinks are flooded in layers using a water tanker truck
- Flooding typically occurs overnight when temperatures are coldest
It can take 1–2 weeks to build the 6–8 inches of ice needed to open rinks.
The pleasure rink usually takes an additional week, as it is built on grass.
Snow events may delay ice making due to staffing needs for snow removal.

Ice Rink and Warming House Rules

Not Permitted

Hockey sticks or pucks on the pleasure rink at Lakefront Park
Foul or offensive language
Fighting or roughhousing
Littering
Smoking or tobacco products
Possession or consumption of alcohol

Safety and Use Rules

Do not use a rink when the Zamboni is present
Rink use may resume once resurfacing is complete
Reservations are not accepted
Group events are not allowed inside the warming house
(including birthday parties or sledding parties)

Pickleball Courts

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Pickleball Courts

The City of Prior Lake operates 8 outdoor pickleball courts at Spring Lake Park.
Address: 15651 Skuya Dr NW, Prior Lake

Pickleball Court Rules

Court Use

Courts are designated for open play, except during City‑approved programs.
All players must follow open play guidelines.
Be respectful, welcoming, and inclusive of players of all skill levels.

Not Allowed

Bikes
In‑line skates
Skateboards

Game Play

Doubles play is recommended when courts are busy to maintain game flow.
Singles play is allowed when courts are available.

Court Rotation (When All Courts Are Full)

When all eight courts are in use:

Play one game to 11 points, then rotate off.
Waiting players should place paddles in the paddle organizer.
Groups must rotate in order.
Partial groups may not be skipped.
These rules apply to all players, including foursomes who wish to stay together.

Pickleball Programs

Learn more about pickleball lessons, leagues, and events offered by the City.

Public Beaches

Beach Banner

Public Swimming Beaches

The City of Prior Lake operates two public swimming beaches on Prior Lake:

Sand Point Beach
Watzl’s Beach

Both beaches offer sandy areas for relaxing and designated swimming zones. Beaches are typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting.

Beach Rules

The following are not allowed at City beaches:

Dunking, pushing, shoving, or throwing sand
Swimming outside the roped swim area
Hanging or pulling on swim ropes
Bicycles, pets, glass containers, smoking, or alcohol
Watercraft in the swim area or on the beach
Swimming to or from boats outside the swim area
Non–U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation devices
Launching inflatables (air mattresses, rafts, beach balls, etc.)
Motorized vehicles outside of designated parking areas

Safety reminders

Parents must accompany children in the water.
Swim responsibly and always swim with a buddy.

Sand Point Beach

Address
14341 Crest Ave NE
Prior Lake, MN 55372

and Point Beach is one of the most popular summer destinations in Prior Lake. Located next to the primary DNR boat access, the park serves swimmers, boaters, and families.

Amenities include:

Sandy swimming beach
Two picnic shelters
Playground equipment
Three sand volleyball courts
Permanent bean bag boards
Fishing pier
Restrooms
Day‑use boat slips
Canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rack storage

Learn more about shelter rentals and watercraft storage on the park rental website.

Park Hours

Daily: 5:00 AM–10:00 PM

Sand Point Beach Parking

A parking fee applies to all users.
Parking is first come, first served and vehicles only (no trailers).
$7 daily parking fee, credit card only (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover).
$60 seasonal parking pass available per vehicle.
Vehicles with trailers must use the adjacent DNR parking lot or nearby legal street parking.
Credit card charges will appear as Cale America Inc., Clearwater, Florida.

Watzl’s Beach

Location
Lakefront Park
5000 Kop Pkwy SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372

Watzl’s Beach is a popular stop for lake users and is also accessible from the water.

Know before you go:

Requires a ¼‑mile walk from Lakefront Park parking areas.
Seasonal boat slips and canoe/kayak racks can be reserved on the rental website.

Water Quality Monitoring

To protect public health, the City monitors water quality at both beaches:

Sand Point Beach
Watzl’s Beach (Lakefront Park)

Testing for E. coli follows Minnesota Rule 7050.0222.

Learn more about the City’s beach testing policy.

Volunteers: Friends of the Parks

Friends of the Parks Volunteer Program

About the Program

Friends of the Parks offers volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups in Prior Lake parks.
Volunteers support annual park maintenance efforts across the City’s 49 parks.
Projects vary in size and scope, allowing volunteers to choose opportunities that fit their interests and availability.
The program is free and open to all volunteers.

What the City Provides

Supplies needed to complete projects, such as:
- Trash bags
- Paint
- Stain
- Other basic materials

How to Get Started

Visit City of Prior Lake | See My Legacy
Browse available volunteer projects
Submit an interest form to participate

Sand Point Beach Park
1. Address:14349 CREST AVE NE
  Prior Lake, MN 55372
Amenities:
1. Beach
2. Bean Bag Boards
3. Boat Launch
4. Boat Slips
5. Canoe/Kayak Rack Rental
6. Drinking Water
7. Electricity
8. Fishing Dock
9. Grills
10. Picnic Area
11. Picnic Shelter
12. Playground
13. Restrooms
14. Vending Machine(s)
15. Volleyball Court(s)
16. Walking/Hiking Trails
Categories:
1. Community Parks

This community park, established in 1976, features two picnic shelters, a boat launch, day use boat slips and, of course, a wonderful beach. The beach is open May through Labor Day. Parking is available on a first come, first serve basis for a daily fee. Reservations can be made for the parks shelters and canoe/kayak racks, make a reservation here.

Boat Launch: The DNR maintains a public boat launch adjacent to Sand Point Beach.

Established:1976

Acres: 38.4

Parking:

Sand Point Beach charges a parking fee applicable to all park users. The Sand Point Beach Park Parking Lot has limited parking and is for vehicles only (vehicles with trailers not permitted). Parking is available on a first come first serve basis for all park users with a per vehicle parking fee charged daily May through Labor Day. The daily fee can be paid by credit card only (Visa, MasterCard or Discover) at the parking meter located in the parking lot. Season passes are also available at the meter, $60/ vehicle. Passes must be displayed on the vehicle's dash while in the lot. Credit Card statement charges for the parking meter will read as Cale America Inc, Clearwater Florida.

Vehicle with trailer parking is not available in the City parking lot at Sand Point Beach. Vehicles with trailers can use the DNR parking lot adjacent to the boat access or areas around Sand Point Beach that are not designated as “no parking”.

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