Parks and Campgrounds

The City of Tracy operates over 25 acres of parks. Play equipment, benches, and picnic shelters are available throughout our park system. Specific amenities include:

Tracy Aquatic Center at Sebastian Park
Softball fields at the Softball Complex and Sebastian Park
Sand volleyball courts at Sebastian Park and Roadside park
Horseshoes at Nehl's Park
Fully-improved campsites with water, electricity, shower/bathroom facilities, and a paved bike and walking path at Swift Lake Campground.

Regional Parks

Garvin Park

1 mile north of the intersection of Hwys 14 and 59, on Hwy 59. At 700 acres in size, Garvin Park has many amenities for your camping and picnicking pleasures. There is a turkey and deer hunting season (bow hunting only) and an innertubing hill for fun in the winter.

Lake Shetek State Park
Currie, Minnesota • 13 miles south of Tracy on county road 11/38. The word "Shetek" is Ojibwe for "pelican," a bird which visits Lake Shetek during the summer and fall. The park contains the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota, which forms the headwaters of the Des Moines River. Expect great fishing for walleye, northern, crappie, and bullheads. Loon Island, a 45-acre bird sanctuary, is accessible on foot via a causeway and includes an interpretive trail. For more information on Lake Shetek, see the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Web site on Lake Shetek State Park.

Plum Creek Park

The park's 207 acres fall into two separate areas, the Upper Park and the Lower Park. Both have large shelter houses available to families and organizations. In the winter your family can be entertained by the many walking trails and winter sledding. From west Highway 14, in Walnut Grove, turn south 1 block and after crossing the tracks, take a right onto Co. Rd. 20. Drive one mile west, then turn south onto County Road 78 for 1 1/2 miles.

The Upper Park

Located near Lake Laura, it includes a full-facility campground with electrical and water hook-ups for 40 sites, bath and shower facilities.

The Lower Park

Baseball and softball diamonds are busy with regular games all season. Tournaments are held at various times. Amenities include concession stands, playground and bathroom facilities.

Lake Laura

:This man-made lake is stocked with fish. Swimmers can change in a large bathhouse. A gazebo overlooking the water presents a panoramic view of several miles. Shoreline fishing is great. Boats are allowed for fishing, but not for waterskiing.

City Parks

Central Park
Second Street and Rowland Streets. Tennis Courts, Ice Skating with warming house, Frisbee golf, Climbing equipment, swing sets, animal spring toys, lighted sidewalks, Band shell, Picnic Shelter, Restrooms.

Greenwood Park
Greenwood Avenue and Adams Street. Playground equipment, basketball net and board, softball field with a backstop.

Legion Park

Located on the intersection of Craig Avenue and 10th Street. Sand Volleyball, Picnic Shelter, Climbing Gym, Swing Set, Merry-go Round, and Teeter Totter.

Nehl's Park
Highway 14 on the west side of Tracy. Picnic shelter, restrooms, and place to pitch horseshoes.

Roadside Park

Highway 14 and Center Street. Swing Set, Animal Spring Toys, Merry-go Round, and Teeter Totter.

Werner Park

E. Hollett and 1st Street E. Swing Set, Merry-go Round, Teeter Totter, and Slide.

Sebastian Park

2nd Street East and Elm Street. Aquatic Center, Climbing equipment, Basketball Court, Softball Fields, Sand Volleyball Courts, Picnic Shelter, and Restrooms.

Softball Complex
Behind Premium Plan Services on Highway 14. Two softball diamonds (including outfield fences and backstops), concession stand, bathrooms, and picnic tables.

Swift Lake Park and Campground
On the north edge of Tracy on county road 11
About 23 acres. Swift Lake is stocked with panfish. Handicapped-accessible fishing pier for shore fishing.

Camping: Eight electrical hookups, some primitive sites; bathrooms and showers.
Other Amenities: Roofed picnic shelter, playground equipment.

Tornado Monument

Highway 14 and 5th Street. Dedicated to the nine people who died in the June 13, 1968, Tracy Tornado. The Tornado Tree Monument, a gnarled elm that withstood the force of the tornado, originally stood at the corner of 5th and Rowland Streets. A steel sculpture replica of the original Tornado Tree was erected in 1989.