The outdoors: Parks, swimming, camping and more

The Hudson area sports many local parks, two county parks and two state parks. Each park offers something different -- from picnic areas, playgrounds, ball fields, camping, fishing, boating, hiking or simply a look at nature.

City of Hudson

--Lakefront Park

First Street and the St. Croix River between Buckeye and Vine streets. Features: boat launch with parking, picnic shelters, playground area with play structures, two sand volleyball courts, beach with lifeguards on duty in the summer, band shell, concession stand, walking trails including the dike road, which projects out into the St. Croix River.

--Prospect Park

Features: Wooded area with scenic overlook of the St. Croix River and the city, gardens, picnic pavilions, two playground areas and a sand volleyball court.

--Birkmose Park

Coulee Road between 11th Street and Second Street.

Features: Scenic view of the St. Croix River Valley and river, several Sioux Indian burial mounds, walking paths.

--Grandview Community Park

Carmichael Road and Vine Street

Features: Athletic complex regulation softball fields, play structure, swings, a picnic shelter, benches and tables. Restrooms and concessions are available at the ball fields during adult softball games.

--Williams Park

11th Street and Laurel Avenue

Features: Playground equipment, picnic tables and restrooms.

--Vine Street Square

Tenth and Vine streets.

Features: Small sledding hill during the winter months.

--Weitkamp Park

O’Neil and Hanley roads

Features: Deluxe picnic pavilion, picnic tables, barbecue grill, playground equipment and satellite restrooms, sledding hill.

--Webster Park

Laurel Avenue across from Blakeman Drive

Features: Large grass play area.

--Anderson Park

River Ridge Road and Mont Croix Drive

Features: Large playground area, tennis court, basketball court, picnic tables and benches.

--Burton Field

Ninth and St. Croix streets

Features: Two baseball diamonds, tot-lot playground in the corner, fall football field, winter outdoor ice skating and hockey, restrooms.

--Meadows Park

Canary at old Hwy. 35

Features: Small pavilion.

For more information, contact city of Hudson Parks Department, 505 Third Street, (715) 386-4774, www.ci.hudson.wi.us.

North Hudson

--Brown’s Beach

Galahad Road along St. Croix River

Features: Swimming beach with lifeguards mid-June through mid-August

--Ferry Landing Park

Sommers Street off of Hwy. 35 to Galahad Road — watch for signs

Features: Picnic shelter, tables and grills, restrooms, beach with no lifeguard, bathhouse, boat launch for residents’ use.

--Pepper Fest Park

Seventh and Michaelson streets

Features: Site of Pepper Fest, winter open ice rink with a warming house, playground, picnic area and gazebo.

--Deer Run Park

Partridge Lane N.

Features: Playground equipment, scenic views of Hudson area.

--Sommers Landing Park

Sommers Landing N. and Sommers Point N.

Features: Softball field and playground for residential use. It is located near Sommers Landing N. and Sommers Point N.

--Jansen Memorial Park

1245 Vail Way N

Features: Pavilion, basketball courts, restrooms, a playground, a picnic area, walking paths.

For more information, call the village of North Hudson, 400 Seventh St. N., (715) 386-5141.

Town of Hudson

--Prairie Park

Hudson Town Hall, 980 County A

Features: Baseball fields, covered picnic pavilions, restrooms, volleyball court. Call the town office to reserve pavilions, (715) 386-4263.

--Cedar Hills Park

County UU west of Hwy. 12

Features: Trail and benches through native prairie planting.

Town of Troy

--Glover Park

428 Glover Road

Features: Hiking trails, baseball fields, volleyball court, playground equipment, restrooms, picnic pavilion, bike trail.

--Cove Boat Ramp

306A Cove Road

Features: St. Croix River public access boat ramp

Call Troy Town Hall for more information, (715) 425-2665.

St. Croix County Parks

--Homestead Parklands

County E and Perch Lake Road

Features: Hiking trails, a fishing pier, picnic shelter, a paved handicapped-access trail, 3/4 mile of shoreline, non-motorized boats and canoes, and a swimming beach.

--Troy Beach Park

490 County F

Features: Swimming beach with no lifeguard, picnic tables, barbecue grills, changing house, pit toilets and horseshoe pits. No boat launch here. Daily admission is $5 per vehicle; annual county park sticker is $25.

--Willow River State Park

Northeast of Hudson on County A.

Features: 3,000 acres of forests, lakes, waterfalls and panoramic river scenery, campsites, showers, bathroom buildings, tank dump station, fully handicap accessible campsite with its own shower and restroom, pedestrian bridge, electric campsites for large recreational vehicles, available year-round, hiking trails, cross-country skiing, swimming beach, playground, bathhouse, fishing, canoeing and sail-boating, nature center. Daily or annual park sticker required.

For telephone reservations call (888) 947-2757 or online at http://reserveamerica.com.

--Kinnickinnic State Park

1983 820th Ave., River Falls

Features: Trout stream, trails, large swimming and picnic area, boat-in camping with restrictions. Call (715) 425-1129 for more information.

Tags: explore, wisconsin, recreation