Parks and Forestry Department
The parks in the City of Ham Lake fall under the responsibility of the Public Works Department. There are over 268 acres of city parkland and paths/trails. Most of the upgrades and additional developments of the parks are done by the Parks staff. Maintenance tasks include playground and play structures, ball fields, ice rinks, buildings and shelters, landscaping, trees and plantings, irrigation systems, painting, blacktop repair in parking areas, trash and litter control, construction projects, and all turf upkeep.
In 2008, a Natural Resources Inventory and Assessment for the City of Ham Lake was completed. This was a joint project completed by the City of Ham Lake and the Anoka Conservation District, with funding provided by a grant from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
Besides many neighborhood parks and natural area parks, the City has two major parks. The first major park is Lions Park, located on land adjacent to City Hall, accessed from 157th Avenue NE. The second is Ham Lake Park is accessed from 153rd Avenue NE and is adjacent to Ham Lake.
There are rental facilities at Lion's Park and Ham Lake park; please click here to learn more.
Skate Parks and Ice Rinks
The City also has a skate park located adjacent to the Public Works facility and City Hall. The facility includes ramps, rails, etc.
The City maintains two ice skating rinks at Ham Lake Park, with a warming house. The rinks are for general public use, not team usage.
Park and Trails Listings
For a list of city parks with amenities, click here.
For a map of all city parks, click here.
For pictures of each city park, click here.
For a list of all parks in Anoka County, with information, click here.
For a map of all trails (city, county and state) located in the city, click here.
Adopt-A-Park Program
The City of Ham Lake believes that the City’s parks and trails are the property of the citizens, and as such, the citizens are given the opportunity to participate in their upkeep. The City’s “Adopt a Park Program” provides an opportunity for an individual, neighborhood, group, or organization to take responsibility for one of the City’s 25 parks and over 2,300 feet of trails. To find out what parks and trails are available for adoption and the procedures to become an adopter, call City Hall at (763) 434-9555.
Oak Wilt Program
In 1988, cities in Anoka County began discussing the control of Oak Wilt. In 1992, the City adopted a Shade Tree Ordinance and Oak Wilt Control Plan, with funding from the Department of Natural Resources. The City conducts a city-wide, yearly inspection for Oak Wilt and notifies affected property owners.
The City would like to remind residents of the “no-cut” period for oak trees which starts April 1st and is effective through July 15th (Article 11.1400.4 of the City Code). This is to help prevent the spread of oak wilt. If you need to cut an oak tree or trees during the "no-cut" period, you must get a permit from the City prior to cutting.
For more information on this program, please contact John Witkowski, 763-235-1662 or jwitkowski@ci.ham-lake.mn.us.
Oak Wilt Permission to Inspect Form 2022
Oak Wilt Vibratory Plow Form 2022
Tree City USA
Ham Lake has been awarded the Tree City USA accreditation every year since 1993.