Public parks are some of the most amazing places for us moms. It can be a place for our children to burn off some energy and get exercise. They can also be a place for us to escape to enjoy the beauty of nature and reset. Public parks are also a great place to hold family events like baby showers, birthday parties, grad parties, etc. As an Appleton family photographer, I’ve gone to many parks for photo sessions too. They have absolutely beautiful landscapes for family photography sessions and can offer a great variety in a small area. Below is a list of the 7 best parks in Appleton WI including information about rentals, amenities, hours of operation and more.
This is the largest park in Appleton and it has a variety of amenities! This beautiful park has over 143 acres of serene beauty and is woven with biking and walking trails. Other things you and your family may enjoy are picnic areas, 3 playgrounds, a fishing pond, a sledding hill, amphitheater and the Appleton Family Ice Center. There’s also a pavilion area you may rent if you are planning a birthday party, baby shower, etc.
I’ve gone to Erb Park since I was a kid and have such good memories there! Located on Morrison St in Appleton, this is a great park to goto with your kids year round! In the winter bring your sleds and go down the hill and in the summer you can swim at the pool. They also have a great playground, basketball courts, walking paths, an ice rink, horseshoes area and a picnic area. Erb Park also has a rentable pavilion if you need a great spot for an upcoming event.
This is a massive park, 257 acres, full of fun for all ages! You and your family are sure to love all the scenic hiking trails. You’ll also find Plamann Lake inside the park where your kids are sure to have a blast.They have an inflatable waterpark and even offer swim lessons. For more places for swim lessons check out this post. Plamann park also has a disc golf course, baseball diamonds, a sledding hill, cross country skiing and a petting zoo. There are 3 pavilions you can rent for all of your event needs. And just a side note, dogs aren’t allowed at this park.
This is Appleton’s oldest park and it’s located downtown. It’s notably remembered for the fountain right behind Lawrence University. The park offers a playground with artificial grass that your children will love! It also has a picnic area and walking trails. There is a rentable pavilion for your family events. City Park also hosts many events throughout the year including Art in the Park.
Pierce park is absolutely beautiful and is located on the bluff above Lutz Park. Your family will keep busy with the many amenities offered including biking and walking trails, playground, basketball court, tennis court, sports field, frisbee golf course and ice skating. This park is super fun and hosts events like the Pierce Park Car Show. The pavilion is rentable and is large! It’s a super pretty pavilion and would be great for those of you who need a large area to host events for your family. I highly recommend checking out this park in Appleton WI.
This is Appleton’s second largest park and is located near the Fox River. It has many fishing spots and a kayak launch for those who want to explore the water. Other fun things to check out are the skate park, a frisbee golf course, a playground, horseshoe pits, baseball diamond and the Newberry Trail. There is a big pavilion that is rentable.
This fun park is located next to the Fox Cities Exhibition Center. It has a large amphitheater that hosts many big events like Mile of Music. Your family is sure to love the playground, walking trails, picnic area and hockey rink. As an extra bonus, there’s an ADA accessible ramp for visitors to use located on Laurence Street. The pavilion is not rentable.
Thank you for reading my post about parks in Appleton, WI. I hope this list helps you find a fun park for your family to hangout at. Or if you’re up for adventure, make it a bucket list and try to visit each of these parks this upcoming summer! If you want a full list of parks in Appleton WI visit their website.
Looking for more things to do with your family in the area? Check out these blog posts: