The Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for all park facilities including the Tourist Park campground, two marinas, Lakeview Arena, and the Presque Isle Park and Pavilion.  The department provides lifeguards at the city’s public beaches and maintains reservations and schedules at the various soccer, softball and baseball fields within the park system.  The department also manages a food court at Lakeview Arena and offers concessions at various park locations.

Lakeview Arena

Recently remodeled for multiple uses, the Lakeview Arena houses the Parks and Recreation department offices and a variety of recreational activities including public skating, junior and adult hockey programs, figure skating, rental skates, and ice rental for community groups and organizations.  Besides a two-ice sheet arena, Lakeview is also rented out for various public and private events and shows.

The arena also contains the Citizens’ Forum Room and Learning Center, complete with several state-of-the-art computer stations.  These facilities are rented out to Northern Michigan Public Service Academy (NMPSA) and other groups for meetings, training and hearings.

Marinas

The Parks department manages and maintains the Cinder Pond Marina with 101 seasonal and transient slips located in the lower harbor, and 97 slips at the Presque Isle Marina.   Both facilities provide fuel, launching, docking and other support facilities for recreational boats.

Tourist Park

Tourist Park is an in-town, 110-site campground located on 40 acres along the Dead River.  In addition to campsites for both RV’s and tents, amenities at the park include restrooms, hot showers, water/electric hook-ups, picnic tables, playground and a ball field.

Other recreational facilities that are operated by this department include several community parks, ball fields, soccer fields, a BMX track, basketball and tennis courts, and two public swimming beaches.  In addition, Mattson Park in the lower harbor contains a festival area, concession stand and Kid’s Cove Playground.  Presque Isle Park contains over 300 acres of parkland and trails as well as a community pavilion that may be rented for private events.