With over 15 city parks, Brookings has many outdoor spaces that are great for a picnic. Grab your family, pack your basket, lay out your largest blanket and the let the kids play as long as their little heart desires. Here is your list of the best places to picnic the next time you want to switch up your daily routine.
The amenities are endless at this popular park located on 6th Street. The park contains playground equipment, a multi-purpose field, 10 tennis courts, a basketball court, four picnic shelters, picnic tables, paved recreation trail, restroom facilities, 12 horseshoe pits, and multiple paved off-street parking areas. The wide-open green spaces and towering shady trees create a perfect place for your family to gather and play for a picnic. On a hot summer day, spend your morning or afternoon swimming at the Hillcrest Aquatic Center and take a break for a bite to eat in the park afterwards.
A secluded attraction on the outskirts of town will take your family out of the hustle and bustle and into the great outdoors. With over 130 acres to roam in the park, there is always a new place to picnic. Its well-maintained sheltered areas, walking or biking trails, and beautiful lake, prove Dakota Nature Park is the ideal spot to relax and enjoy nature. Make it a day trip and try your luck at fishing or rent a kayak from the Nature Center. Your kiddos will love getting to explore the many winding trails taking them to places they didn’t know were in their backyard.
Located adjacent to Larson Manufacturing Headquarters, Larson Park is a large open green space with many amenities to enjoy. A 20-hole frisbee golf course has made this park a popular one among the locals. With water hazards, hills and a wooded area this course is for all frolfers from novice to professional. The area is so wide open, you could have a picnic without even noticing those enjoying the sport. Pick your spot atop the hill or under a tree near the basketball court. If you are bringing littles along, we recommend setting up near the playground equipment which entails the cities first musical playground. A mix of musical instruments and visual art come together to entice all kids to make music and let their creativity bloom. This park is handicap accessible to allow everyone the chance to make music.
