Crosby Memorial Park is an experience all on its own, with a playground that draws kids from near and far, camping, and other amenities, and all nestled along the shores of Serpent Lake. The playground was built thanks to Project Revive and hundreds of volunteers who worked to bring it to life. The park features a playground, beach, skateboard park, baseball field, basketball court, pavilion, band shell (Music in the Park is held Thursday evenings in the summer), and Serpent Lake boat access.

The park’s “Cook Shack” can be rented for gatherings and has both indoor and outdoor amenities—including stove, microwave, and refrigerator. (For Cook Shack reservations, visit: crosbymn.govoffice3.com)

The park is home to Kanabec, a giant, colorful, serpent statue that was installed lakeside in June 1977 and stands 20 feet tall and weighs 2,500 pounds.

There are 26 campsites adjacent to Serpent Lake. Click to learn more.

The park’s public areas are closed after dark.

WARNING ⚠ :​​​​​​​ Swim at your own risk. There are no lifeguards and parental supervision is a must.

The Deerwood Park playground is across the street from the impressive, stone Deerwood Auditorium. (The auditorium is an engineering feat that was constructed in 1935 with 800 tons of local fieldstones. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places). The playground is spacious and safely fenced with equipment for all ages. Another benefit are the shredded car tires that form the base of the play equipment. It’s fun to walk or run on the rubber bits and kids bounce when landing on the surface—always a perk! There is a covered picnic table area and a portable toilet. There are no shade trees within the playground area, so don’t forget the sunscreen!

Skone Beach is a “secret,” unsupervised, secluded public beach in Deerwood—just off Cross Drive on Summer Place (Summer Place loops off Cross Drive toward Serpent Lake). It’s a smaller beach with a dock, a small paved parking area, and a porta-potty.

WARNING ⚠ :​​​​​​​ Swim at your own risk. There are no lifeguards and parental supervision is a must.

Hallett Center is a great place to take a shower after biking, as well as hitting the water slide with the kids. There are 2 pools, waterslide, remodeled fitness center, and sauna. And if you’re looking for things to do in Crosby on a rainy day, a visit to the Hallett Center is a must.

Day Pass: $10/adult; $30 family of 5 ($5 per additional person); youth 4–17, $5 (must be accompanied by adult); under 3 years, free.

Shower only: $3/time; towel rental: $1/time.

Summer hours: May 1–Sept. 30. Mon–Fri: 5a–8p; Sat: 7a–4p. Closed Sunday.
Winter hours: Oct. 1–April 30. Mon–Fri: 5a–9p; Sat: 7a–7p. Sunday 11a–7p.