Park and recreational land uses for the City of Belle Plaine include over twenty (20) City owned parks, open space and recreational areas. These land uses account for approximately 80 acres or 2.4 percent of the City's total acreage. The City's residents and businessess identify parks, trails and recreational facilities as valuable community resources that contribute positively to the quality of life offered in Belle Plaine. Recreation is viewed as an integral part of life, providing a necessary and satisfying change from the things we usually do and the places where we spend most of our time.

Most of the parks in the City of Belle Plaine are identified with signage which carries a unified theme, which assists in identifying the areas as municipal parks. Following is a listing of the park and recreational facilities exisiting in the City of Belle Plaine:

• Bird Sanctuary (South of Forest Street between Grove and South Willow Street) 

This specialized recreation area is approximately two blocks. The wooded area includes a steep ravine. This is a nature area not intended to provided active sporting or playground activities.

• Century Park (West of CR 3 and along Century Street)

Century Park was developed in conjunction with Chatfield on the Green development in 2005. This is a neighborhood park with the purpose of serving the area's residents. The park contains a gazebo/picnic area, benches, two sand volleyball courts and playground equipment. Off-street parking is available to patrons or they may walk to the park.

• Chatfield Square (North of State Street between Elm Street and Linden Street)

This is a one-acre neighborhood park which includes a half-court basketball area and playground equipment. There is no off-street parking or sidewalk or trail around the park.

• Court Square (North of Court Street and west of Walnut Street)

This community park includes a picnic shelter, playground equipment, benches and restroom facilities. The park is adjacent to the Hooper-Bowler-Hillstrom House, which was constructed in 1871 by S.A. Hooper, an early resident. Court Square is very visible from Highway 25, and is one of the first attractions to be noted when entering the city from the north.

• Creekside Park (North of Deer Creek Subdivision)

Located in the north east side of the community, Creekside park is a neighborhood park for the area within Deer Creek Subdivision. This park includes playground equipment and a 1/2 court basketball court.

• Deer Park (Northwest of Deer Creek Subdivision)

Located on the northeast side of the community, Deer Park is a large, unimproved specialized recreation area with a major focus on the natural resources of the area.

• Fountain Park (North of Court Street and west of Cherry Street)

This neighborhood park is adjacent to manufactured home park and is just south of the Railroad and MN River Restoration Project of 1999. The park includes a softball field, playground equipment, a picnic shelter, restroom facility  and off-street parking on the north side of the park.

• Heritage Square (North of Orchard Street and west of Ash Street)

This community park is located south of Highway 169. A number of amenities are included in the park such as a skate park, two picnic shelters, swing set and play equipment, baseball field, open area for soccer, etc., a basketball court, benches and a restroom facility. Off-street parking is available on both the north and south sides of the park, with a sidewalk around the perimenter and within the park. This is one of the community's newer parks.

• Hickory Park (South of Orchard Street and east of CR 5/Laredo Avenue)

This neighborhood park is located along Orchard Street and east side of CR 5.  The site will be graded and seeded in fall of 2007, along with the installation of a trail and underground utilities.  Future amentiies include a small playground and ice rink.

• Ice Rink (South of Prairie Street and east of Market Street)

The ice and hockey rinks are located to the east of the high school and adjacent to the tennis courts and municipal swimming pool. A warming house is available during winter months for residents using the facilities.

• Meadow Park (East of CR 5/Laredo Avenue and north of Meadow Circle)

This neighborhood park connects with the South Creek Trail. Amenities in the park include a football field, soccer fields, basketball court, baseball field and off-street parking.

• Municipal Swimming Pool (South of Prairie Street and west of Willow Street)

The municipal swimming pool is adjacent to other recreational facilities including the tennis courts and ice/hockey rinks. It is located south of the ISD #716 Administrative Offices and east of the Junior-Senior High School. The pool has been maintained and updated to include spiral slides, lounge chairs and a sitting area. A large grassy area is outside of the fenced-in pool area. The area also has a wading pool which is separated from the main pool by a chain link fence. Swimming lessons and open swimming are provided during summer months.

• Prairie Park (North of Park Street and west of Ash Street)

Is a neighborhood park which includes limited play equipment, a softball field, picnic shelter and restroom facilities. The park is accessible through a gravel drive and parking area.

• Prairie Restoration-School (along South Street)

This specialized recreation area was a joint venture between the Park Board and School District. The preservation of hills thistle and prairie grassess in this area is the primary goal, along with educational opportunities for students.

• Settlers Park (North of Church Street and east of Highway 25)

This neighborhood park includes the Episcopal Church of Transformation which was constructed in 1869 and cemetery. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places. The park does not include off-street parking. A sidewalk is located along Highway 25, but is not on the other three sides of the park or within the area.

• South Creek Trail

This eight-foot wide paved trail system runs along the south side of South street, connects to Veterans Park, provides pedestrian and non-motorized access under Highway 169, through Emma Krumbees Apple Orchard, extends through O'Brien Subdivisions east across Kittson Boulevard. It is proposed that this trail will connect to a trail system along Kittson Boulevard, extend north to connect to a trail or walkway across the Highway 169/CR64 interchange and connect to Creekside Park and future MN River Regional Trail.

• Tennis Courts (North of Park Street and east of Market Street)

Four tennis courts are located to the east of the current high school, adjacent to the municipal swimming pool and ice/hockey rinks. On-street parking is utilized for the tennis courts which are used by the school district's tennis team, physical education classes and the general public.

• Townsend Park (downtown west of Meridian Street and south of Main Street)

This downtown green space includes a fountain, benches and a number of plantings. Townsend Park, provides an area for community gatherings, arts in the park, etc.

• Union Square (South of Prairie Street and north of Park Street)

This community park is located west of the high school. The park includes four horseshoe pits, playground equipment, baseball diamond, picnic areas, restroom facilities and off-street parking. This park has served as the location for the annual Belle Plaine Bar-B-Que Days as well has been the site for amateur state baseball tournaments.

• Veterans Park (South of Commerce Street and east of Meridian Street)

This neighborhood park is located adjacent to Highway 169 and CR 3. A helicopter, Armed Services flags and a number of American Flags pay tribute to the number of Veterans who have served our country. The park is adjacent to the trail system and underpass under Highway 169.

• School Facilities

  In addition to the City owned parks, there is also a number of school facilities and playgrounds that are utilized for recreational activities. The City and the School District have entered into a joint powers agreement that assures dual use of facilities whenever feasible. Although these are not "municipal parks", the amenities are available to serve the public at times in which school or extra curricular activities are not underway. The facilities, especially the athletic fields, serve a much larger population than the corporate limits. Following is a brief description of other school recreational facilities:

• Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic School (south of State Street and west of West Cedar)

A neighborhood playground area includes swings, climbing apparatus, slides and two basketball hoops. The restroom facilities are located inside the school.

• Elementary School (Market Street)

The Elementary School includes a neighbor hood playground area, basketball hoops and an open area for soccer. Restroom facilities are located inside the school.

• Trinity Evangelical Lutheran School

This neighborhood playground includes playground equipment, two basketball hoops in the parking lot and indoor restroom facilites.