Marthaler Park
Rate this placeNearby: Garlough Park Weschcke Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Marthaler Park is a beautiful park located in the state of Minnesota that offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors.
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Summary
One of the main reasons to visit the park is its stunning natural scenery, including several miles of hiking trails, a fishing pond, and a picnic area. The park also has several playgrounds and sporting facilities, including baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, and volleyball courts.
In addition to its recreational amenities, Marthaler Park is also home to several historic sites and landmarks, including the Lakeville Area Arts Center and the Dakota County Historical Society. Visitors can explore these sites to learn more about the history and culture of the area.
Interesting facts about Marthaler Park include that it was named in honor of local businessman and philanthropist Bill Marthaler, who donated the land for the park. It is also home to several rare and endangered plant and animal species, making it an important site for conservation efforts.
The best time of year to visit Marthaler Park depends on the activities and attractions that visitors are interested in. Spring and summer are ideal for hiking, fishing, and outdoor sports, while fall and winter offer opportunities for hunting and winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Overall, Marthaler Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty and rich history of Minnesota.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Cardinal
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Garlough Park
Weschcke Park
Charles Matson Field
Thompson County Park
Kaposia Park