Parks and Recreation

The Parks and Recreation department is in charge of managing and maintaining our city parks and recreation areas including the Staples Community Center and Dower Lake Recreation Area.  

This department is also responsible for our parks' shelter rentals and camping facilities along with managing programs and activities at the Community Center.

Picnic Shelters

Looking for a great place to host a get-together?  Choose a park!  We have three shelters available for rent - two at Pine Grove Park  and one at Dower Lake Recreation Area.  Call (218) 894-2553 to reserve your spot!

At Pine Grove Park, the large shelter offers a modern, full service kitchen and accessible restrooms. The smaller shelter offers shade cover, picnic tables and electrical outlets. With either shelter, you get an amazing landscape including 100 year old red and white pine trees, scenic pond, a large playground, disc golf course, horseshoe pits and beautiful baseball field. Rental Fee for kitchen shelter is $100 per day (with a required $50 deposit). Rental Fee for the small shelter is $20 per day.

The Dower Lake Recreation Area picnic shelter offers electrical outlets, picnic tables, a majestic view of Dower Lake, easy access to the beach, and updated restrooms.  You will also have easy access to the disc golf course, basketball court, horseshoe pits, softball fields and campground. Rental Fee is $60 per day.  

Help the Trees!

Please help keep our city trees healthy!  Disease can spread quickly through an entire area.  Be informed and read: MN DNR Emerald Ash Borer and Shade Tree Disease Ordinance.