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Lakefront Park

The gem of the City of Prior Lake's park system, Lakefront Park, hosts the Lakefront Days celebration and many other community events. The park opened in 2001 and offers something for everyone. It's a 130-acre community treasure featuring an amphitheater, an extensive three-mile trail system, floating boardwalk and fishing pier, Watzl's Beach, a pavilion, two park shelters. Other amenities include a large playground area, a skate park, two full-sized hockey rinks, a pleasure rink, a full-sized soccer field, a baseball diamond, tennis courts, a basketball court, a winter sliding hill, a sand volleyball court and capacity for more than 200 cars. For the full list of amenities and driving directions, click here.

The pavilion, designed to be the centerpiece of Lakefront Park, seats 60 inside and includes an extended outdoor veranda with built-in seating for an additional 80. The building houses the controls to the park and includes many windows and skylights. Fully carpeted, the facility also features two fireplaces, indoor/outdoor accessible restrooms and a concession facility.

The pavilion is used year-round for public events: It's a warming house in the winter and is rented for weddings, receptions, reunions, parties andbusiness meetings (March through November). The pavilion rental rate is $50 per hour for Prior Lake residents, $85 per hour for nonresidents. A minimum of four hours is required, as is a refundable damage deposit of $200.

The gazebo rental rate is $50 for residents, $100 for non-residents, and FREE with Pavilion rental.

DOWNLOAD LAKEFRONT PARK PAVILION SHELTER RESERVATION POLICY AND FORM

The playground offers a wide range of activities, including basketball, four square, swings, slides and jungle gyms. The playground is handicapped accessible and meets today's safety requirements. Watch loved ones and enjoy a view of the park from the many benches in this area. The pergola at the site offers shade from the sun and adds a pleasing architectural feature.

Nestled on the shores of Prior Lake, Watzl's Beach offers opportunities to boaters and land-lovers alike, including a swimming beach, picnic area, boat docks for accessing the beach from the lake, restroom facilities and concession stand. July 4th and Lakefront Days fireworks are fired from the beach and the Prior Lake Ski Club often uses this site for performances. In 2005, 18 new boat slips were added, nine of which are available to the public through a reservation system run by the city. The beach is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily beginning early June until late August.

For more information, visit the Prior Lake Beach webpage.

DOWNLOAD WATZL'S BOAT SLIP RESERVATION POLICY/ FORM

The skate park, which opened in 2002, was revamped for the summer of 2005  following input from its users. New equipment was installed, and admission fees were dropped, meaning skaters can now utilize the 3- and 5-foot ramps for free! Bikes and scooters are not allowed. A helmet is mandatory for all users. Elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards are strongly recommended. Concessions are available at the attendant booth. Participants under 18 will not be admitted without a parent-signed waiver.

The skate park is open weekends only from early-May to mid-June, when regular season hours of noon to 8 p.m. begin. After the start of the school year in August, the park is open weekends only through the end of September.

A fishing pier was added to the park in 2004, due in large part to a partnership among the city, the Department of Natural Resources and NOREX. The project is intended to rehabilitate and stock the pond. The pond also features a fountain and aerator that keep portions of the water open year-round.