Bennett Park is a 117-acre park located on the south end of town, adjacent to the fairgrounds. Access is off of Cochran Avenue. Within Bennett Park there are separate use areas referenced as Veterans Memorial Park, Camp Frances and the historic Courthouse site. The largest portion of the park includes picnic facilities, hiking and nature trails, a battery of six horseshoe pits and two playground sites. The front of the site contains two picnic pavilions including grills and drinking fountains which are used for group activities. A restroom building serves the picnic areas and running track and football field at Gobel Field in the adjacent fairgrounds. Paved parking is provided for both picnic areas.

Thanks to a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, approximately 1,500 linear feet of handicap-accessible paved trails were constructed in Bennett Park in 2002. These trails will allow all residents, regardless of any mobility restrictions, to get closer to nature. Along with the trail improvements, sightlines within the park will be improved, benches will be installed, and interpretive signage will be added explaining the various flora and fauna located in the park.

Camp Frances is an area within Bennett Park which has a cabin which was donated for use by your organizations. The 1,000 square ft. building includes restrooms, a kitchen and fireplace. The wooded setting and firebowl provides for outdoor events within the city limits. Trails link to the adjacent facilities within Bennett Park.

The Fairgrounds are located north of Bennett park. The 42 acres are owned by the city and leased to the Eaton County Fair Board. The fairgrounds contain a number of athletic facilities and there are also exhibit barns, horse stables and grandstands.

Dean Park is a 2.52 acre neighborhood park located on Stoddard Street, west of the tracks. It includes 2 grills and benches, a memorial stone, swings, slides, sand boxes, two train climbers, a wooden play structure, a modular play structure and a basketball court. Most of the park is open green space and the play areas are located within a wooded glen.

Southridge Park is a .34 acre neighborhood park located along Clinton Street adjacent to Froebel School. It is filled with a variety of climbers, swings and a basketball court. It has two benches and a grill.

Oak Park is a 1.54 acre neighborhood park located on Seminary and Clinton Street. The park includes established canopy trees throughout. Half the park includes lawn area centered around a gazebo with two tree benches, two grills, one stone fountain and a barrier-free drinking fountain.

Lincoln Park remains under development. However, once complete, the 19-acre parcel will be home to a multi-use recreational area with a BMX track, open play areas, paved trails and a wide variety of other recreational attractions. It currently features a 13,000 square-foot, state-of-the-activity concrete skatepark -- one of the newest in the country.


Skate Park (Lincoln Park) includes a 13,000 square-foot, poured-in-place concrete skating surface, with numerous features designed to challenge both beginners and experiended skaters, as well as walking trails and off-street parking. The skating elements were designed by renowned skatepark planner Zack Wormhoudt, who worked in concert with local sskating enthusiasts to create a truly unique, one-of-a-kind skatepark. For more skate park pictures click here.
 

Veterans Memorial Park is located on the south side of the Battle Creek River along the Bennett Park entry drive from Cochran Avenue. The park contains large stone markers and planting in memory of local veterans