Parks & Trails | The City of Belle Plaine

Park and recreational land uses for the City of Belle Plaine include over twenty 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.

Park or Trail		Location in Belle Plaine
Archery Park		22331 Union Trail
	If you enjoy Archery, take advantage of Belle Plaine’s newest park. The Archery Range is located at 22331 Union Trail on the south side of West State Street (Union Trail), just west of the city’s compost site.
Blaha Memorial Song Bird Sanctuary		200 West Court Street
	Council member Cary Coop was instrumental in the dedication of the bird sanctuary property from the Elizabeth Blaha Estate. This is the only area left in the City of Belle Plaine where "the original" City was constructed along the banks of the Minnesota River.
Century Park		200 West Century Street
	Developed in 2005, Century Park is one of the City’s newest parks. This one-acre park contains a gazebo / picnic area, benches and two sand volleyball courts. The unique playground equipment includes climbers, three slides, bounce buttons, lily pods, chinning bar, sliding pole, flip flop, and horizontal loop ladder. Neighborhood volleyball teams are encouraged to form a league and residents are invited to join the fun at Century Park.
Chatfield Park		550 East State Street
	Updated playground equipment has been installed at Chatfield Park. This neighborhood park now offers a satellite climber, slides, swings, spinner and rock ‘n rides. The popular geodesic dome and merry-go-round have remained in Chatfield Park. The park also offers a basketball hoop and plenty of green space for additional recreational activities. We invite residents to check out the new amenities at Chatfield Park.
Community Ice Skating & Hockey Rinks		214 West Park Street
	Phone: 952-873-2333 Operating Hours: Monday - Friday; 3:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The Warming House will be closed during poor weather conditions.
Court Square Park		410 North Cedar Street
	Court Square has the distinction of having the Hooper Bowler Hillstrom Historical House adjacent to the park. The house, available for tours by members of the Belle Plaine Historical Society, was built in 1871 by S.A. Hooper, an early resident. Court Square contains a park shelter with a kitchen (available for rent); four barbecue grills and horseshoe pits; playground equipment including: slides with swings, merry-go-round, play system, swings and jungle gym and equipment, benches and restroom facilities. Court Square was included on the original plat of Belle Plaine by Founder Judge Andrew G. Chatfield and today serves as one of City’s most popular parks.
Deer Park		NW of Deer Creek Subdivision
	Deer Park is a large, unimproved specialized recreation area with a major focus on the natural resources of the area.
Community Dog Park		200 block of S. Market Street
	The Belle Plaine Community Dog Park was introduced in 2013. A joint facility agreement was reached with the School District to facilitate the dog park in the hockey rink located on the 200 block of S. Market Street. The rink will function as a dog park during the spring and summer months.
Fountain Park		801 West Forest Street
	Fountain Park is shown on the original plat of the Borough of Belle Plaine. In 1854, the City’s founder, Judge Andrew G. Chatfield, foresaw the need to have a park near the beautiful Minnesota River valley. Fountain Park consists of a one-block area. Park amenities include a softball field, playground equipment including a super slide, a picnic shelter, restroom facility and off-street parking on the north side of the park. Bring the family for a nice outing at Fountain Park.
Heritage Square Park		500 East Orchard Street
	A number of amenities are included in the park such as a skate park, swing set and play equipment, baseball field, open area for soccer, etc., a basketball court, skate park (see rules link above), 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 perimeter and within the park. Dog waste receptacles are available for your convenience as well. Heritage park has two picnic shelters with a food service counter, electrical outlets and curb-side garbage bins located at either end of the park. These are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. This is one of the community's newer parks.
Hickory Park		801 East Orchard Street
	The site was graded and seeded in fall of 2007, along with the installation of a trail and underground utilities. In 2008 playground with a rock climbing "volcano", swing set, monkey bars and slide was added. A basketball court which converts to an ice rink are available for use also. This is Belle Plaine's newest park.
Meadow Park		800 Meadow Circle
	The flat topography of Meadow Park lends itself well for the little league field and the regulation-size soccer field that were constructed in 2004-2005. This neighborhood park connects with the South Creek Trail and newly-planted trees enhance the trail located on the north side of Meadow Park. Enjoy a quiet stroll at Meadow Park.
Minnesota Valley Trail		Minnesota River Valley
	The Minnesota Valley Trail is perfect for biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, hiking, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. A natural surface trail runs from Belle Plaine to Chaska and a paved trail from Chaska to Shakopee. The multi-use trail parallels the Minnesota River. While using the trail system you can explore the varied landscapes which include blufftop oak savanna, wetlands and floodplain forest. Visit the Department of Natural Resources for more information: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks. To access a trail map please view: www.dnr.state.mn.us/maps. Enjoy the wonder and beauty these trails have to offer!
Municipal Swimming Pool		203 West Prairie Street
	The municipal swimming pool is adjacent to other recreational facilities including the tennis courts and ice/hockey rinks. 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. A newly designed concrete patio was added in the summer of 2008. Swimming lessons and open swimming are provided during summer months.
Prairie Park		650 East Park Street
	Is a neighborhood park which includes limited play equipment, a softball field, picnic shelter and restroom facilities.
Prairie Restoration		W. South St. near Chatfield Elem.
	This specialized recreation area was a joint venture between the Park Board and School District. The preservation of hills thistle and prairie grasses in this area is the primary goal, along with educational opportunities for students.
Founders Park		450 East Church Street
	This neighborhood park includes the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration which was constructed in 1869 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery located in this park is the burial place of Judge Andrew Gould Chatfield, Belle Plaine's Founding Father.
South Creek Trail		Throughout City Limits
	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 Hickory Boulevard. It is proposed that this trail will connect to a trail system along Hickory 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		203 West Prairie Street
	Four tennis courts are located to the east of the current high school, adjacent to the municipal swimming pool and ice/hockey rinks. The tennis courts are available for recreational use.
Townsend Park		110 South Meridian Street
	Townsend Park adds ambience to our historic downtown and serves as a gathering place for community events, such as Arts in the Park, luminary event and the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony that signals the beginning of our holiday season and transforms the park into a winter wonderland. During the remaining months, Townsend Park provides a peaceful rest stop with its sparkling water fountain and specialty shrubbery and prairie grasses. Engraved paver bricks by sponsors have been placed in the walk ways. Local resident Ed Townsend donated the park land in 2000, and the EDA, City Council and Chamber jointly sponsored the design and development of Townsend Park.
Union Square Park		201 South Eagle Street
	Union Square is home to Belle Plaine’s largest annual event, Bar B Q Days, a fun-filled 3-day family celebration held the third weekend in July. Union Square is also home to Tiger Park, a first-rate baseball field, having the honor to co-host past State Amateur Baseball Tournaments with our neighboring city, Jordan. Union Square was included on the original plat of Belle Plaine by Founder Judge Andrew G. Chatfield and contains picnic shelters (a kitchen facility attached to one of the shelters is available for rent), gazebo, playground equipment, benches, four horseshoe pits, restroom facilities and off-street parking.
Veterans Park		101 East Commerce Drive
	Designed as a park to honor those who served our country in war as in peace, the Belle Plaine Veterans Memorial Park is meant to be a place for reflection. The park's design and construction were almost entirely funded by donations and volunteer labor. The Belle Plaine Veterans Club solicited the donations from local citizens and businesses and volunteered over 2,000 hours of labor. Many local merchants donated equipment, labor or supplies towards the park's construction. The park is highly visable to travelers along State Highway 169. The annual Memorial Day program is held at Veterans Park and elaborate holiday decorations by the Belle Plaine Historical Society light up the park each year. The City acquired the land in early 1990’s for the purpose of the Highway 169 underpass and trail extension and the American Legion Post 144 and VFW Post #6202 established the park in 2001. Light poles were added in 2005. The Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts help with projects at Veterans Park. With the assistance of local resident Dave Spalding, the helicopter was placed on display the same year. The focal point of the park is a retired U. S. Army UH-1H Iroquois "Huey" Helicopter. The Huey (tail number 68-15369) was brought to the park from Fort Rucker, Alabama. It was in service from 1968 to 1987 and saw time in Vietnam with the 11th Cavarly Regiment (Blackhorse) and the 118th Assault Helicopter Company (Thunderbirds). After the war it served with NASA, the 1st Armored Division and other U. S. Army units. The park has a flag display a top its small hill with the flags of the United States, Minnesota, Belle Plaine, POW/MIA, U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine, Navy and Coast Guard, Prisoner of War, and an engraved memorial stone. As the city's bike path winds through the park there is the beginnings of a "Flag Boulevard". Sixteen foot tall flagpoles placed ten feet apart, all flying "Old Glory". Each pole is engraved with the name(s) of one or more veterans both living and deceased. There are over twenty poles sold and installed as of June 2003. If you wish to add to this lasting tribute, contact the Belle Plaine Vets Club.