Explore Merrill Area Parks

Athletic Park has one of the most scenic baseball fields in the state of Wisconsin. Located on the corner of Sixth and Logan streets, it features a lighted baseball field and restroom facilities. Athletic Park is the home field for Merrill High School, Legion Post 42, and the Merrill Rangers baseball teams. The 5-acre baseball field and historic landmark began hosting amateur and semi-pro baseball games in 1925. It's completely surrounded by an eight-foot granite wall. Athletic Park has a rich history. It was constructed in the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration.

Bankers Square is a great place to eat lunch or have a picnic. It features picnic tables and fabulous views of the Wisconsin River, the dam, and the River Bend Trail. It’s a tiny “pocket park” on E. Main Street in the downtown shopping area. Bankers Square is home to the annual downtown lighted Christmas tree event, where Santa officially lights the tree at the end of the annual Christmas parade in early December. After the parade, Christmas music plays in the park until Christmas, allowing visitors to take in a little bit of Christmas magic.

Cenotaph Park is a memorial park dedicated to Veterans of our country. It is located on the corner of Highway 64 and North Prospect Street.

Council Grounds has a rich history. Native American encampments once occupied the site of Council Grounds State Park. Located along the Wisconsin River and Lake Alexander, this park is a favorite for water enthusiasts. This 508-acre park also offers camping, hiking, hunting and fishing opportunities. *This park is a state park; visitor fees apply.

Gebert Park offers nature trails for hiking. Located on the corner of Summit Avenue and Bramble Way, Gebert Park is a 15-acre conservation protections area and a wildlife habitat.

Jack Pines Park offers a wildlife habitat and wildlife habitats and natural forest areas to enjoy. The hill is a popular area for children to go sledding during winter. Located on the corner of East Sixth Street and Memorial Drive, Jack Pines Parks is a seven-acre county park.

Lions Parks has an outdoor ice-skating rink, sledding hill and restrooms. In summer, the five baseball diamonds are home to Merrill’s Little League program. Located off Third Street, Lions Park is 13.8 acres with Prairie River access.

Memorial Forest Park is a 920-acre wildlife habitat area featuring walking trails for those seeking peace and solitude. It’s also a public hunting ground. Located off County Highway Trunk R, Memorial Forest Park includes an 80-acre wetland area and bike trails. It’s been named the Don Manthei Recreational and Wetland Area.

The Merrill Area Recreation Complex (MARC) covers 96 acres. It has four youth softball fields, three multi-purpose softball/baseball fields, youth and adult soccer fields, and a 2.5-mile walking, biking, cross-country ski, and snowshoe trails that links to Council Grounds State Park. There is playground equipment on site for children. The MARC is the home of Smith Multi-Purpose Center, and features rental space for large functions and gatherings. It includes an indoor ice arena (Oct.-March), a community room and refreshment stand. The Bierman Family Aquatic Center is a public outdoor swimming pool with full concession stand. A dog park for large and small dogs is also on MARC grounds.

The Merrill Area Recreation Complex (MARC) features a 2.5-acre fenced dog park for large and small dogs.

Normal Park is a two-acre neighborhood park with many amenities. It features 6,900-square-feet of all-access playground equipment for children, including a ramp system for wheelchair accessibility, wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, tandem swings, and stimulation components such as wind chimes and sensory panels, all on a rubber, impact-absorbing playground surface. Normal Park’s beautiful gazebo is home to concerts by the Merrill City Band and various performers. A seasonal Farmer’s Market is held at the park on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as well as Chalk Fest, annual cultural festivals, and small wedding ceremonies. Located on the corner of Sixth Street and Center Avenue, Normal Park is adjacent to many of Merrill’s historic homes and is frequently used for picnicking. A new building onsite offers restrooms open to the public in summer (May-Oct.), as well as space for concessions and kitchen.

Ott's Park is a nine-acre neighborhood park with access to the Wisconsin River. Located at the end of North Foster Street, Ott’s Park features a children's playground, softball field, boat landing, picnic areas, volleyball courts, sheltered picnic area with water and electricity, and tennis courts. Restroom facilities are onsite. Six lighted pickleball courts will be added soon!

Prairie River Skate Park is one acre and has a lighted outdoor skate park. Located on the corner of Highway 64 and Polk Street, Prairie River Skate Park is used community wide

Prairie Trails Park is 99 acres of pristine and natural parkland. It’s designed for low-impact silent sport recreation, such as canoeing, fishing and wildlife observation. The park extends along a two-mile stretch of Prairie River, which is a Class “A” Trout stream. This trail is great for hiking, running, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Amenities include: 2.5 miles of hiking, walking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails, boardwalk bridge, outdoor education pavilion, two canoe landings, a scenic overlook, and a handicapped accessible fishing pier.

River Bend Trail Park is an excellent spot for walking, running and biking, with room for strollers, wheelchairs, and pets. More than two miles of the trail runs along the Wisconsin River. It features five miles of paved trail that runs from Culver’s Restaurant on Merrill’s east side to Council Grounds State Park on the west side. It also links to the MARC. At the trailhead on Park Street, the Agra Pavilion offers inside and outside public space, restrooms and covered shelter wings are all sides. The Agra Pavilion is available for rental for private events. Along the trail to the east, Tyler’s Playground provides a place to sit peacefully in nature, where children can experience creative play in a natural environment.

Riverside Park is a beautiful 22-acre park along the Wisconsin River. Amenities include a boat landing, picnic areas, sand volleyball courts, horseshoes, and a picnic shelter with water and electricity. Children can enjoy the park’s playground. All ages can enjoy the nine-hole Eric Schalow Memorial Disc Golf Course on the island. (Don’t have discs? Merrill residents can check out disc golf sets and fishing poles for free at the T.B. Scott Free Library.)

Stange’s Kitchenette Park is a six-acre park with a fantastic view of the historic three-arch bridge on East First Street. It has a kitchen shelter with electricity and water, and is available for rental. Amenities include a playground, sand volleyball court, access to the Prairie River and restroom facilities.

Stange’s Park features a building complete with a kitchen, shelter and restrooms, all under one roof that was constructed in 2018. It is available for rental for private events. Located on the corner of Third Street and Parkway Drive, this 11.6-acre park along the Prairie River received new paving in the parking lot and has a lighted basketball court. Other amenities include playground equipment, an open-sided picnic shelter and scenic walking bridges.

Streeter Square Park covers two acres and has a playground, a softball field and a basketball court. It’s located on the corner of East Second and East Scott Street.