Litchfield residents have no shortage of outdoor recreation choices. The following is a look at area parks:

Litchfield city parks

Becker Park — In winter, this park has an outdoor ice rink. It is at 621 Chandler Ave. S.

Central Park — In the middle of town at 300 Sibley Ave. N., Central Park is the city's most visible park and the site of several community activities throughout the year. Some activities include Music in the Park and Pie in the Park during the summer, Crazy Days and the Farmers Market.

Jaycees Park — Next door to Memorial Park is Jaycee Park, home to a picnic shelter, swing set, and jungle gym. The public boat landing also is located here.

Lions Park — Lion's shelter is located in Lion's Park, near the golf course on West Pleasure Drive. The shelter is equipped with electric hook-ups and a wooden play structure is nearby. To reserve the shelter, call Community Education at 693-2354.

Memorial Park — The Army tank marks Memorial Park near Lake Ripley. The park includes a beach, a volleyball area and playground equipment.

Pleasant View Park — 600 Willmar Ave. N., recently saw the addition of a significant playground layout. A neighborhood group organized and helped direct fund-raising efforts that helped pay for about $20,000 in equipment.

Prairie Park — This park is on Butler Street, on the southeast part of town. It features walking trails, and newly updated playground equipment sponsored by the Rotary Club. The park also features a new picnic shelter provided by the Rotary Club.

North Park — North Park has playground equipment and a volleyball court. The park is at 611 Miller Ave. N.

Litchfield Sports Park along Gilman Avenue — near the Litchfield High School and Middle School — this area features two VFW fields that are lighted at night; two Civic Arena fields that do not have lights; four tennis courts, a horseshoe court, two outdoor hockey rinks, a baseball field sponsored by the Eagles, and Optimist Park, home of the Litchfield Blues amateur baseball team.

South Park — At 300 Miller Ave. S., South Park has two tennis courts, play equipment and a volleyball court.

Sunrise Park — This park, along 206 Sunrise Drive, recently received a $10,000 play equipment upgrade.

Other city parks that have playground equipment: Casey Park, Ninth Street West and Miller Avenue North; Crescent Park, 721 Crescent Lane W.; Thompson Park, 402 Chandler Ave S. Each city park has at least one picnic table and one garbage can.

Meeker County parks

Clear Lake Park — Three miles south of Watkins on County Road 2. Includes a picnic area, hiking trails, picnic shelter, bathrooms and water. The park is 34.4 acres.

Darwin-Dassel Park — At 160 acres, Darwin-Dassel Park is the largest park in Meeker County. The park has a sliding hill which also is a beautiful lookout over the area, bathrooms, 2 1/2 miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Shelters and picnic tables are located on the hill and in the south park area.

Finnish Memorial Park — This 17-acre park has a tennis court, shelter, playground equipment, bathrooms and a canoe landing. Finnish Memorial Park is just west of Kingston on County Road 27, along the Crow River.

Koronis Regional Park — On the southwest shore of Lake Koronis, this 62-acre park features overnight camping with electricity and water hook up, and bathrooms with showers. Koronis Park also has playground equipment, a swimming beach, boat landing, several picnic shelters, hiking trails, a lookout tower, two ball fields, volleyball court, shuffleboard, horseshoe court, basketball court, and two shelters with kitchen facilities. A caretaker is on site. To make shelter reservations or camping arrangements, call (320) 276-8843.

Lake Manuella Park — Five miles south of Highway 12 on County Road 9, along the east side of Lake Manuella, this park has a popular swimming beach, picnic facilities, bathrooms, and a changing house. The park is two acres in size.

Spring Lake Park — One mile north of Dassel just east of County Road 4. Includes picnic shelters, playground equipment, water, a basketball court, a softball field, bathrooms, boat landings to Spring Lake and Long Lake, and a fishing dock to Long Lake. Park is 13 acres.

Shaw Memorial Park — Located in Forest City along Crow River near Old Mill dam site, the 10-acre park has picnic shelters, playground equipment, a softball field, basketball court, paddle tennis court, and ice skating rink in the winter.

Thompson Park — One mile west of Cosmos on Lake Thompson, this park includes bathrooms, picnic shelter, fishing dock, ball field, playground equipment and sand volleyball court. Thompson Park consists of 22 acres.

West Ripley Park — This park has a large picnic shelter, boat landing, playground equipment, two sand volleyball courts, horseshoe courts, fishing pier, water pump, bathrooms, bike path and boat landing. It's located on the west shore of Lake Ripley, south side of Litchfield.