Parks and Beaches 

CHAUTAUQUA PARK

410 Lakeshore Drive, Storm Lake IA 50588

Scenic, quiet and beautiful. Centrally located along the lakefront, this large park features a cobblestone-enclosed shelter house, a playground geared for smaller children, a long jetty popular with anglers, a veteran’s memorial area, and plenty of green space. A soccer mini-pitch complex was added in 2022. The park area dates to the earliest settlement of Storm Lake, and is named for the Chautauqua shows that once took place there.

• Drive-through park
• Enclosed shelterhouse
• Playground
• Half-basketball court
• Soccer mini-pitch
• Veterans memorial area
• Dock with seating
• Recreation trail with chainsaw sculptures
• Picnic tables and grills
• Restrooms

Rentable Shelter

Chautauqua Park Shelter has an east and west side available for rent from 7 am to 10 pm.

• $110 fee per side plus a damage deposit of $200 per side

Cancellation Policy

The City of Storm Lake has in effect the following refund policy for renters of the Chautauqua Park Shelter House:

• Cancellation at least 3 months in advance of the rental date renter would receive a 50% refund on their rental fee and 100% refund on their damage deposit
• Cancellation within 3 months of the rental date the renter will receive no refund on their rental fee and 100% refund of their damaged deposit

Renting Procedure

Rentals are available up to one year in advance of the rental date. All of the park shelters are rented through City Hall during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 am - 5 pm), with the exception of the Sunrise Pointe Golf Course Hall which can be rented through the Golf Course at 712-732-8025.

Reservations for all facilities are not considered booked until the rental fee has been paid in full. All deposits must be paid in full no later than two weeks prior to the rental date. A signed rental agreement is also required.

Availability

All of the rental facilities have an online calendar to check availability. While every effort is made to keep the online calendar up to date it is not the official booking calendar for the facilities. Please call City Hall at 712-732-8000 to check final availability.

Each day the Parks Department will post a sign by the individual shelter or pavilion. If the facility is not rented during a particular time or day, it is open to the public for use on a first come, first serve basis.

Circle Park

Location: 1800 W. Lakeshore Drive

An environmental showplace. This small but lovely park is located on the lakeshore just south of the Buena Vista University football stadium. It features a rain garden lined with stones and wildflowers, and the well-known “Little Fisherman” statue.

• Recreation trail
• Picnic areas
• Dock with seating

Discovery Center

Location: Abner Bell Road/Highway 110

 Immerse yourself in the prairie/marshland environment in this area within the Little Storm Lake preserve, near Frank Starr Park. From the parking area, enter the winding stone trail through the woods, where a series of signs share information about the ecosystem. The trail leads to a three-story tall observation tower with a view out into the wildlife-rich march. A boardwalk leads out into the wetland for a close-up view. 

• Observation tower with scope
• Woodland trail
• Wetland boardwalk
• Education signs

Frank Starr Park

Location: Highway 110

Lakefront recreation at its finest. Located near the west edge of the city and accessible by a recreation trail. A large park with lots of amenities and plenty of green space, this is a favorite of walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and cross-country skiers. Kids love the multiple playground pieces. The park is named in honor of a former DNR wildlife officer.

• Beach access
• Open picnic shelter
• Playground
• Sand volleyball court
• Disability-accessible fishing pier
• Butterfly Garden
• Recreation trail
• Restrooms

Rentable Shelter

Open shelter with shingled roof located in the middle of the park close to the parking lot, playground, and lake trail.

The shelter features seven picnic tables, one large and one small grill.  No electricity is available.

Rentable times slot are the following at $50 per time slot

• dawn to 3:00 pm
• 3:00 pm to dusk
  
  

Renting Procedure

Rentals are available up to one year in advance of the rental date. All of the park shelters are rented through City Hall during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm), with the exception of the Sunrise Pointe Golf Course Hall which can be rented through the Golf Course at 712-732-8025.

Reservations for all facilities are not considered booked until the rental fee has been paid in full. All deposits must be paid in full no later than two weeks prior to the rental date. A signed rental agreement is also required.

Availability

All of the rental facilities have an online calendar to check availability. While every effort is made to keep the online calendar up to date it is not the official booking calendar for the facilities. Please call City Hall at 712-732-8000 to check final availability.

Each day the Parks Department will post a sign by the individual shelter or pavilion. If the facility is not rented during a particular time or day, it is open to the public for use on a first come, first serve basis.

Great Lawn

Location: 1490 E Lakeshore Drive 

The gathering place. In the midst of all the busy attractions, the Great Lawn was designed to preserve a vast open green space overlooking the lake. It is surrounded by a recreation trail and shaded benches. It’s a great place for kids and families to toss a football or kick around a soccer ball. During the summer the site is home to concerts and events.

• Recreation trail
• Benches
• Fountain
• Adjacent to King’s Pointe Resort
• Bike rentals at King’s Pointe Resort
• Boat dock steps away
• Recreation trail
• Restrooms

Rentable Great Lawn Area

The rental is for all day with a rental fee $200.00 plus a damage deposit of $150.00 which will be returned if there is no damage.

Renting Procedure

Rentals are available up to one year in advance of the rental date. All of the park shelters are rented through City Hall during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm), with the exception of the Sunrise Pointe Golf Course Hall which can be rented through the Golf Course at 712-732-8025.

Reservations for all facilities are not considered booked until the rental fee has been paid in full. All deposits must be paid in full no later than two weeks prior to the rental date. A signed rental agreement is also required.

Availability

All of the rental facilities have an online calendar to check availability. While every effort is made to keep the online calendar up to date it is not the official booking calendar for the facilities. Please call City Hall at 712-732-8000 to check final availability.

Each day the Parks Department will post a sign by the individual shelter or pavilion. If the facility is not rented during a particular time or day, it is open to the public for use on a first come, first serve basis.

Kiwanis Park

Location: 5^th Street and Russell

A true neighborhood park. Located in the central part of the city.  In alignment with the Kiwanis International motto: "Serving the Children of the World"  both the Hy-Noon Kiwanis and Kiwanis Beavers clubs of Storm Lake raised money to develop a playground.  

Service is at the heart of every Kiwanis club, no matter where in the world it’s located. Members stage approximately 150,000 service projects and raise nearly US$100 million every year for communities, families and projects. By working together, members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. 

Future plans call for a half-basketball court, grilling area and open shelter. 

Living Heritage Tree Museum

Location: 315 W. Lakeshore Drive

 This open-air museum features trees descended from trees associated with historic people, places and events, including one grown from seeds that went to the moon on a NASA flight. The park features lighted walkways and informative plaques. Located just east of Sunset Park.

• One of the nation’s largest tree museums
• Outdoor classroom
• Benches
• Recreation trail

Summer & Fall Seasons - Best Time to Visit

This attraction is free and open to the public throughout the year, with the best times to visit during the summer and fall. Each tree has an informational plaque with a brief history of the tree and its lineage.

Virtual & Audio Tours

We invite you to spend some time traveling back in history as told through the leaves and branches of the Heritage Tree Museum trees:

• Take a virtual tour of the Heritage Tree Museum
• Download an audio tour (50.3 MB) for your next trip
• View a virtual 360 degree picture of the museum
• Download brochure (pdf)   

Heritage Tree Museum Tree Narratives

Select a type of tree to learn about:

Oscar Bauman Park

Location: Highway 110 and Vista Drive

Tiny but pretty. This little triangular park near the west edge of the city has a great view of the lake and a small picnic pavilion. It is named in honor of a dedicated Rotarian and community booster.

• Small picnic shelter
• Colorful plantings
• Recreation trail
• Beach access

Radio Park

Location: 120 Flindt Drive

A quiet spot to enjoy a good book, just north of the lakefront.

• Small playground
• Recreation trail adjacent
• Rain gardens with native plantings

Seneca Park

Location: 901 Seneca Street

A space for the kids. This park located behind police station and adjacent to the fire station on Seneca Street has play equipment for youngsters, and the Hoop Dreams basketball court for teens and adults.

· Basketball court
· Playground
· Green space

Sunset Park (Band Shell)

Location: 400 W. Lakeshore

A favorite for lake-lovers for generations, this small beach is accessible by a set of stairs that doubles as seating. The Living Heritage Tree Museum is right next door. Nearby docks are often used for sailboats.

· Swimming beach
· Public docks
· Recreation trail

Rentable Band Shell

Renting Procedure

Rentals are available up to one year in advance of the rental date. All of the park shelters are rented through City Hall during normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm), with the exception of the Sunrise Pointe Golf Course Hall which can be rented through the Golf Course at 712-732-8025.

Reservations for all facilities are not considered booked until the rental fee has been paid in full. All deposits must be paid in full no later than two weeks prior to the rental date. A signed rental agreement is also required.

Availability

All of the rental facilities have an online calendar to check availability. While every effort is made to keep the online calendar up to date it is not the official booking calendar for the facilities. Please call City Hall at 712-732-8000 to check final availability.

Each day the Parks Department will post a sign by the individual shelter or pavilion. If the facility is not rented during a particular time or day, it is open to the public for use on a first come, first serve basis.

West Ninth Street Park

Location: 410 W. 9th Street

A neighborhood park with plenty of activity.

•    Baseball diamond
•    Playground
•    Picnic area