The Manhattan area boasts well over 20 different parks, varying in size and amenities, with something for everyone! Bookmark our guide as you explore the most popular parks in our area.
Manhattan Area Park Guide
Blue Earth Plaza
Located downtown, Blue Earth Plaza has quickly become one of the best events hubs in the Manhattan area! This park is host to the Festival of Lights and annual tree lighting ceremony during the holidays as well as other events throughout the year. Amenities include covered tables, a warming fireplace, a splash pad, and a large open lawn. An onsite public restroom is available.
CiCo Park
CiCo Park is located on the west side of town and is home to the Riley County Fairgrounds and Manhattan High School’s football and track stadium. At 97 acres, CiCo Park is one of the largest parks in the area. Many locals gather at CiCo each July to enjoy the Riley County Fair and Kaw Valley Rodeo. The CiCo Waterpark offers swimming areas for the whole family, with a separate wading pool for young swimmers. Pottorf Hall Community Center is located adjacent to the fairgrounds and can be rented out for special events. The hills of CiCo Park are a local favorite for sledding after a winter snowfall. Other amenities include five baseball fields, three tennis courts, a walking trail, skate park, playground, and fenced dog park.
City Park
City Park is one of the oldest and most popular parks in Manhattan and is host to multiple community events throughout the year. This park houses the Wefald Pavilion and outdoor stage, hosting Arts in the Park during the summer and an Ice Rink in the winter. The City Waterpark, the largest of the three in town, sits in the south-central portion of the park. The large playground is situated next to a covered shelter and bathrooms, with a splash pad that is open in the warmer months. The park has a paved 1-mile trail along the perimeter and offers many options for sports including three baseball fields, six tennis courts, a basketball court, and sand volleyball pit. Other features include two covered shelters, picnic tables, and grills. City Park also features a beautiful Rose Garden that can be reserved for special events.
Douglass Park
The Douglass Park is in southeast Manhattan at 10th & Yuma. This park has a covered shelter with picnic tables and grills, combination basketball/pickleball court, a playground, with restrooms close by inside the Frederick Douglass Recreation Complex.
Frank Anneberg Park & Twin Oaks Sports Complex
This large park and sports complex is located on the west side of Manhattan off of Anderson Avenue. Featuring six softball fields and eight soccer fields, Anneberg & Twin Oaks are host to multiple youth sporting events year round. A 1.9 mile gravel trail surrounds the park. The Jerry Dishman Fishing Lake lies in the southeast area of the park with a nearby fenced playground. There are two covered shelters with picnic tables and grills, and public restrooms.
Goodnow Park
Goodnow Park, located at 4th & Thurston, features a covered shelter with picnic tables and grills, a playground, and lots of open space. The Bluemont Scenic Overlook is part of the park with an access point off of Ehlers Road, offering panoramic views of the city, picnic tables, and nature trails. 
Griffith Park
Griffith Park is home to youth sports fields including baseball, softball, and soccer. This park is located at Fort Riley Blvd & South Manhattan Ave, with parking available on both the east and west ends and public restrooms available on the east entrance.
Long’s Park
Long’s Park is located at 17th St & Yuma. You will find a large shelter with picnic tables and grills as well as a playground and onsite restrooms. This park is quiet and offers lots of shade!
Northeast Community Park
One of the newer parks in the area, the Northeast Community Park is located in the Northview Neighborhood at 680 Knox Lane. This park offers baseball and soccer fields, public restrooms and water fountains, a playground, a covered shelter with a grill, and a walking trail that connects to Linear Trail.
Northview Park
Northview Park is located at Griffith Dr. and Blaker St. Within the park you will find the Northview Waterpark, a baseball field, a small playground with nearby covered shelter including picnic tables and a grill, as well as an onsite restroom. 
Roger Shultz Community Park
The Roger Shultz Community Park is a 76.5 acre undeveloped nature park with a 1 mile walking trail. Experience the scenic views of the Flint Hills with the 165-foot elevation change. This park is adjacent to the Lee Mill Heights Neighborhood with a small parking area at the south end of Loma Ridge Dr. Perfect for nature walks with your dogs and family.
Sojourner Truth Park
The Sojourner Truth Park is located off of South Manhattan Avenue at 10th & Pottawatomie. This quiet park features a butterfly garden, as well as a playground with nearby shelter and grill, and a basketball court.
Stagg Hill Park
Located in the Stagg Hill neighborhood at 3010 Irene Drive, you will find the Stagg Hill Park. This park offers a playground, a water fountain, picnic tables, grills, nature trails and open space.
Check out our Stagg Hill Park tour here.
Warner Park
Warner Park is a large nature park, featuring a 9-hole disc golf course, a shelter with picnic tables and grills, and a walking trail through both wooded areas and open prairie land. Parking and entrances can be found off of Warner Park Road or Shuss Road.
Surrounding Area Parks
Fairmont Park
Fairmont Park is a large nature park located south of Manhattan on Messenger Road. This park has a disc golf course, a large fenced dog park, nature trails, football and soccer fields, a playground, a shelter, and canoe launch onto the Kansas River.
Keats Park
Just a short drive west of Manhattan is the small town of Keats, featuring a 14-acre park. This park offers a Community Building with adjoining covered shelters and grills, a playground, baseball field, and walking trail.
Tuttle Creek State Park & Rocky Ford
Tuttle Creek State Park offers numerous recreational activities, including boating, camping, fishing, nature trails, a disc golf course, playgrounds, and the Army Corps of Engineers Stilling Basin. Rocky Ford is located south off of Dyer Road, and offers a smaller fishing and nature area.
Wildcat Park
Located west of Manhattan and situated along Wildcat Creek is Wildcat Park, a nature and camping park. This park features trails and open areas, picnic tables, grills, firepits, camping areas, and an onsite restroom.
Wyman Park
This park is one of several parks located on Fort Riley at the intersection of Huebner Rd & Dickman Rd. Wyman park features a 100 year old Union Pacific Locomotive, open for exploration during warmer months. Other features include a large playground and covered shelter. A visitor pass can be obtained online or at the Henry Gate off of I-70.
