City of Prior Lake, MN
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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:
Visit the county webpages for details, amenities, and updates for each park.
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 Bench Program
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
- View available benches and submit a request online:
Questions?
- Contact the Parks & Recreation Manager
- Email: SHart@PriorLakeMN.gov
- Phone: 952‑447‑9822
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
- 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 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.
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
- Address:5000 KOP PKWY SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372 - Capacity:100 +
Amenities:- Amphitheater
- Baseball/Softball Field(s)
- Basketball Court(s)
- Beach
- Boat Slips
- Canoe/Kayak Rack Rental
- Drinking Water
- Electricity
- Fishing (shore)
- Fishing Dock
- Gazebo
- Grills
- Hockey Rink(s)
- Ice Skating Rink(s)
- Nature Preserve
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Shelter
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Scenic/Historic Area
- Skate Park
- Sledding Hill
- Soccer/Football Field(s)
- Tennis Court(s)
- Volleyball Court(s)
- Walking/Hiking Trails
- Warming House
- Address:5000 KOP PKWY SE
