Adopt-A-Garden at Centennial Park or a Planter at the Community Center Pool Patio or City Hall

If you are interested in learning more about adopting a garden, call (763) 569-3470.

• Perennial and annual container plant donation - Hostas and other plants suitable for container planting.
• Container planting at City Hall & Community Center - late spring, one day, time scheduled with volunteer approximately 2-4 hours.
• Ongoing summer care optional.
• Ongoing maintenance late spring, summer and fall. Volunteers set their own schedule.
• Assist someone who has adopted a garden - ongoing weeding late spring, summer and fall. Volunteers set their own schedule.

Adopt-A-Garden Map

Adopt-A-Garden Application Form

West side of Centennial Park (63rd and Brooklyn Drive).

20ˊ x 20ˊ garden plot (18 plots available).

Water, tilling and fence provided by the City.

Season: May 1 - October 15 (May start later depending on weather conditions.)

Fee: Resident $40 per plot - Non-resident $45 per plot

Brooklyn Center residents may apply beginning April 7. Non-residents can reserve plots beginning April 28. Additional plots may be rented if available after May 14.

No fabric is to be used.

Plots must be reserved in person at the Brooklyn Center Community Center.

The City of Brooklyn Center has developed a Park Capital Investment Plan to better understand residents’ current and future recreational needs. The City Council adopted this plan on May 12, 2025.

The city has 522 acres of parkland across 23 parks and natural resource areas, and 20 miles of trails connecting to neighboring communities. This investment plan will identify and prioritize improvements that can be implemented over the next 20-years.  

Park Capital Investment Plan

Park Capital Investment Plan Appendix

• Park Amenities
• Parks and Schools Map
• Park Ordinances
• City Trail Map

The North Mississippi Regional Park is located along the west bank of the Mississippi River at 49th Avenue and I-94 in Brooklyn Center and Minneapolis. For information on it or other Hennepin County parks, contact Three Rivers Park District.

Picnic shelters are available between May 1 and October 15. Brooklyn Center residents may make a reservation beginning March 17, 2026. Reservations for non-residents starts April 22, 2026.

Reservations must be made in person at the Community Center.  Please call and make an appointment for reservation. Proof of address is required.  The deposit and fee are required at the time of reservation. No cancelations or refunds will be given after reservation has been made. Minimum of 7 days’ notice is required.

Permit holder must be on site with a copy of their permit during event and is responsible for compliance of City policies & ordinances.

• Alcohol, smoking tobacco or cannabis products are prohibited. Fireworks are prohibited. Glass bottles are prohibited.
• The City of Brooklyn Center significantly restricts the use of radios, boom boxes, recorded music, loud speakers, live music or amplified sound equipment. The City’s Noise Ordinance is enforced.
• Parking is available in designated parking lots. Driving vehicles on trails and parking on grass is prohibited.
• Use of tents, inflatable games (including bouncy houses), dunk tanks or similar items require pre-approval. Prior to booking the picnic shelter, the permit holder must provide the city with a Certificate of Insurance from the vendor that includes liability coverage of at least $1.5 million naming the City of Brooklyn Center as an additional insured.

Picnic Shelter Fees and Policy Compliance

For fees and policy compliance, please contact Recreation at 763-569-3400.

The cost of an extra portable restroom clean is available with an extra fee upon request.

A refundable damage/policy compliance deposit is required for all rentals.

It is the responsibility of the permit holder to leave the surrounding area in good condition for the next group. If the picnic shelter/building or surrounding area is damaged or requires additional staff time for repairs or cleaning, the deposit fee may be forfeited and additional charges may be incurred.  Each picnic shelter has a maximum occupancy limit and if exceeded, the deposit fee may be forfeited.

ATHLETIC FIELD RENTALS

Looking for a field to hold a practice or game? There are several parks
throughout the city that contain baseball, softball, football and soccer fields
available to reserve. To get more information on locations, availability and
pricing, call the Brooklyn Center Community Center at 763-569-3400.

You may also find the Field Rental Application Here.

Maps

• City Parks & Trail Map
• Palmer Lake and Shingle Creek Trail Map

Palmer Lake

Palmer Lake Park is the City's largest natural environmental preserve featuring Palmer Lake, containing over 200 acres of parkland with surrounding marshes and wetlands that provide habitat for numerous wildlife in an urban setting. Amenities include the Shingle Creek Regional Trail, other paved and natural trails, softball/baseball fields, tennis/basketball courts, shelter building/picnic shelters, playgrounds and other general open areas. If you wish to stroll around the loop at Palmer Lake, it is 3.1 miles.

Shingle Creek

The Shingle Creek Trailway together with the Palmer Lake Trail Loop form the major trail corridor through Brooklyn Center. The Shingle Creek Trail starts at the trails around Palmer Lake and follows Shingle Creek through Centennial Park, past the Hennepin County & Government Service Center before crossing Highway 100. The trail continues past Lions Park and Centerbrook Golf Course. The trail is part of the North Hennepin Regional Trail Corridor, which forms a loop extending from Elm Creek Park to Theodore Wirth Park.

Trail Lengths

• Centennial Park Loop - 1.3 miles
• Community Center to Palmer Lake - 1.0 mile
• Palmer Lake Loop - 3.1 miles
• Paved paths throughout the City - 67 miles
• Shingle Creek - 2.4 miles

The Mississippi River Trail is an exciting bicycle route that follows America’s premier river, from its headwaters in Itasca State Park to the Gulf of Mexico offering a unique north-south transect of the United States to adventurous bicyclists. Although the majority of the MRT is routed on relatively low use roads and road shoulders, imbedded throughout are significant off-road trail opportunities to delight almost any bicyclist. For more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Transportation website.