General Information

Parks and Facilities:

Click here for our rental brochure.

The Parks and Recreation Department (located at the City Arena, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive) will start taking reservations on January 4, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. Reservations are taken at the Parks & Recreation office and fee paid for at that time. We do not take reservations over the phone the first day; however, you may call 377-4370 to check on available dates. After January 4, reservations can be placed over the phone using Mastercard or Visa. There is a $5.00 fee for this service. This is the time to make your reservations for summer and fall picnics, family reunions or get-togethers for your church, friends, or club.

Rental Rates: All rentals are subject to 7.375% sales tax.

Pavilions at Edgewater Park: Large Pavilion (Pavilion #1) (North & South) $15/hour – in town; $20/hour – out of town.
Cottage at Edgewater Park : $20/hour – in town; $25/hour – out of town(plus $25.00 returnable deposit for the key).  The key must be returned the next day with a week day rental, and the following Monday with a weekend rental.

Bandshell at Edgewater Park: $25/hour – in town; $35/hour – out of town.
Bancroft Bay Pavilion: $12/hour – in town; $15/hour – out of town.
Gazebo on Fountain Lake: $25/hour – in town; $35/hour – out of town.

Pioneer Park: with kitchenette $17.00/hour – in town; $20.00/hour – out of town (plus $25.00 returnable deposit for the key) without kitchenette: $12.00/hour – in town $14.00/hour – out of town.  The key must be returned the next day with a week day rental, and the following Monday with a weekend rental.

**Facilities must be rented for a minimum of two hours**
Cancellations must be made 30 days prior to reservation date to receive a refund.

Warming Houses: Four outdoor skating rinks are open at Academy, Hawthorne, Hayek and Lakeview Parks. Warming house hours are 4:00-9:00 p.m. weekdays, and 1:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s. Please call 377-4370 to inquire about bad weather cancellations.

Parks and Recreation Brochures and Schedule of Events: The Parks and Recreation Department distributes a spring/summer brochure through the Community Newsletter that is inserted in the Freeborn County Shopper the last week of April. Copies of the brochures are also available at the Parks and Recreation office at the City Arena or you may download a pdf copy here.

Program Registration: You can register you and your family for recreation programs Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Recreation Office at the City Arena. Registrations must be made in person and payment of fees must be made at that time. Reservations can be placed over the phone using Mastercard or Visa. There is a $5.00 fee for this service.

Fee Structure: Resident and Non-Resident Status: The City Council has determined all recreational activities will have a user fee charge. In addition, the City Council has determined non-residents will pay an additional $5.00 non-resident fee for each program. A non-resident is considered someone living outside the city limits of Albert Lea.

Adult Programs Fee Structure: The fees charged for adult programs are the direct result of the calculation of the cost of the program. The entry fees assessed for adult athletics pay for the cost of officials, facilities, trophy expenses, state registration fees, and any other miscellaneous expenses.

Boat Dock Licenses: Boat dock licenses are available to all property owners and previous owners from March 1st till April 15th. On April 16th any remaining permits are open to the public. The cost is $100.00 in-town, an $125.00 out of town. Proof of insurance is needed when renewing the boat dock spot. You may mail in your license with payment and insurance information to 221 E. Clark St., or bring it out to the City Arena at 701 Lake Chapeau Dr.