Parks & Trails
Blue Earth is proud to offer a variety of parks, trails, and recreational opportunities for our residents to lead active lifestyles and for our visitors to explore.
Putnam Park is located at the south end of Main Street. This park is home to our municipal pool and the city’s disc golf course. Putnam Park also offers tennis courts, a picnic shelter, playground equipment and bathrooms.
Steinberg Nature Park is located 1/4 mile east of Blue Earth on County Road 16. The 33 acre park provides a natural setting for visitors to enjoy native prairie plants, river views, woodlands, birding and natural habitat. The Steinberg Nature Park has a picnic shelter with a restroom, outer woods trail/picnic area and a 1/2 mile crushed limestone trail that is accessible for all users.
Shelter reservations for Putnam Park and Steinberg Nature Park can be made with a $50 refundable security deposit and a completed Recreational Facility Use Agreement that can be picked up at City Hall or downloaded here. Contact City Hall at 507-526-7336 for reservations.
Ballfields are located at the Fairgrounds and 14th Street. Reservations for tournaments can be made with a $50 refundable security deposit and a completed Recreational Facility Use Agreement. Please check the ballfield calendar for availability before calling City Hall to reserve the fields for games and practices. For more information about the facilities please view the 2023 Recreational Facility Fee Schedule.
The City and School Joint Powers Facility Board was formed in 2023 due to the collaborative efforts between the City Council and the School Board to review and maintain the long standing shared maintenance agreement. Sport Organizations and Associations can click here to send an inquiry and request to the City and School Joint Powers Board.
A Dog Park has recently been established in the 700 Block of East 2nd Street to provide a place where dogs can run freely off-leash and socialize with other dogs. For the protection and enjoyment of all park users, please observe the dog park rules that are posted on site.
Unity Trail provides the opportunity for anyone to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you travel by foot or by bike, this 3-mile paved trail will make your outdoor experience more enjoyable. Start at the Faribault County Fairgrounds and end at the beautiful rest areas at the center of I-90, the nation’s longest coast-to-coast highway. Enjoy the beauty of the City of Blue Earth, the world’s richest agricultural land, the Blue Earth River and Southern Minnesota woodlands. View a map of the city’s trail system!
The Faribault County Fairgrounds are located right on North Main Street. The Fairgrounds offer ball fields, a walking/biking trail, camping and bathrooms. The campground has 14 electrical sites with full hookups. Currently there is a fee of $25.00 per night for the electrical sites, which includes free WiFi. The City allows extended stays at the campground if prior arrangements have been made with the campground host. The long-term rate is $20.00 (7 days or more with reservation and prepaid). There is a charge of $5.00 per site for an additional tent and a $5.00 charge for waste tank dumping. The dump station will be locked and the campground host will have the key. These amenities are looked after by the world’s largest statue of the Green Giant. Additional information on the campground can be found here. New to the campground is a campground host and reservation system. Please contact the City’s campground host at (507) 600-0130 to make a reservation or to find out which sites are available. You may also email your questions to BECamp6820@gmail.com. The tentative 2023 opening date of the campground is May 1.
Leland Park and Beyer Field border each other on County Road 16 (Leland Pkwy). These two parks include the municipal ice rink, sledding hill and warming house.
The Blue Earth Area Middle/Elementary School Park is located in the heart of town. Newly remodeled playground equipment ensures your children will have both a fun and safe visit. The Elementary/Middle School park also offers basketball courts.
Third Ward Park is located on the east side of Blue Earth. This neighborhood park has playground equipment in a peaceful setting.
The Active Living Coalition‘s mission is to promote a way of life that integrates physical activity into everyday routines and builds partnerships that encourage safe walking, biking, and other physical activity to gain health benefits and improve quality of life. To see the results of the 2021 survey, click here.