Thank you for visiting The Friends of Itasca website!
Itasca State Park is open year round, and each season is unique. Itasca State Park is open year round. With each season you will be greeted with unique experience and beauty. Come visit. In addition there will be another MN State Park free day on Friday, November 28, 2025.
Itasca State Park Accessible Playground is Ready for Use!
PLEASE JOIN US!
We are excited to announce the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Accessible Playground Equipment which we have purchased and installed! We could not have done this without the support of all our members and donors.
The ribbon cutting will occur in conjuction with our annual meeting on September 20, 2025. The annual meeting will begin at 1:00 PM at the picnic shelter near the swimming beach at Itasca State Park followed by our ribbon cutting ceremony at the nearby playground at 2:30 PM.
A little history about the project: It has been a long journey, but the finished project is well worth it! We are grateful to our partners on the project, most importantly Itasca State Park Staff, Scott Winters from Northwoods Playgrounds, and the many donors who made this project possible.
In 2019, the Friends of Itasca voted to update the existing playground near the Lake Itasca swimming beach. It was installed 25 years ago by the Friends of Itasca and from the many years of use there were playground pieces that were broken or worn to the point of impacting the safety of the children playing there. We wanted to provide fun and safe, and accessible options for all children.
Shortly after voting to raise money for this effort, COVID hit and all of our fund-raising efforts were put on hold. Three years later, we picked up our efforts to raise over $100,000. We had small fundraisers including an annual raffle and 10 ice cream socials during summer music events at the park each year. We wrote grant requests and received many donations from people like you who wanted to join in our effort to make a difference for kids. Many of the local schools who bring bus loads of kids to the park every year use the playground as part of their day at the park. Also, many visitors and campers from around the world visit the park each year. The seasonal visitors add up to an astonishing number – approximately 500,000 each year.
After evaluating all the playground pieces at the park for functionality, some pieces were still in great shape, so they were kept. Some were worn or broken, so they were removed. To make room for the new playground pieces, some existing pieces were moved to a different location in the playground. That made room for 3 new playground pieces in the existing playground and a new accessible swing in the swing bank a short distance away. We wanted to share more information on our website about the playground pieces added to the playground and show some pictures for those of you who are at a distance and not able to see it in person.
Unity Dome
The Unity Dome is a climbing play experience for children ages 2-12. You can play in, on, and around the play structure. Outside climbing provides a different experience than inside climbing with various perch points. Accessible for children in wheelchairs for more inclusive play. There are 3 dome sensory panels around the outside: a drum, tambourine, and washboard for more interactive play.
Accessible Swing
The Accessible Swing is a swing experience for kids 2-12 with a lock-in protective bar in the front. This is placed on the existing swing structure with other strap swings so it can be inclusive to have fun with siblings or friends.
Cozy Cocoon
The Cozy Cocoon is designed for an individual child 2-12 years old. It is fun for all kids but especially designed for autism where kids can escape overstimulation and climb into their own small, enclosed space. It has interior molded-in features for tactile experience, spins for movement, and has windows on both sides for adult supervision.
.jpg)
AeroGlider
The AeroGlider encourages cooperation and teamwork among children ages 2-12. Adults too have been seen enjoying it with their younger children. There is enough room for two wheelchair users on it at the same time. The aerodynamic design allows for a rocking back and forth movement. On the extended walkway, a panel lists several nature items to search for along the walk. They are small metal pictures of the item hidden posted along the walkway.
Summer Events at the Park
- Find pograms and events at Itasca and all your favorite state parks. There are always fun activites and interesting programs happening . Topics range from Itasca CCC history to animals and children's projects; you will certainly find something for everyone!
Join us at the Ice Cream Socials throughout the summer and celebrate Smokey Bear Day with FREE cake!
- 8-24 -Ice Cream Social at Forest Inn. 3:30-4:30 PM. North Wind Clarinets will be playing.
Restaurant and Gift Shop Information
There are three gifts shops and two restaurants in the park that are open seasonally. The Jacob V Brower Visitor Center and gift shop is open year round during regular business hours. State Park permits are available and information about what is happening in the park. Take time visit the interpretive displays and learn about nature and the interesting history of Itasca.
The other venues are open seasonally, so check with the park for more information.
The Douglas Lodge Restaurant is OPEN through October 19, Thursday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Bumblebee Atlas
Become a participant of the Minnesota Bumble Bee Atlas and Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas projects in 2025! Join the webinar, we will provide clear guidance on how to participate in the Atlas and discuss priorities for the 2025 field season. The training will cover how to conduct your own survey, where and when to survey, what supplies you'll need, and how to submit your data. We will also discuss how to differentiate bumble bees from the other insects you'll encounter in the field. This webinar will serve as the last of our two-part training series. Before attending this webinar, please watch Part 1, Ecology and Conservation of Bumble Bees. This workshop is supported by the University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar. For the most up-to-date information visit the Bumblbee Atlas on Facebook!
Friends News - Annual Meeting, Work Plan
View the 2024 State of the Park Meeting Summary (pdf)
Visit our Memorials and Special Sentiments Page
When you donate to the Friends you are invited to say something about your gift. A "memorial", "honorarium", or "in gratitude" statement reflecting your gift. We have had requests to have this option on the website. You will need to contact someone for approval and to forward it to our web developer. Contact the Friends of Itasca at: friends@friendsofitasca.org
It's Time to RENEW!
It’s that time of year again! Your Friends Group plays a crucial role in the stewardship of Minnesota’s parks and trails, and we hope you will renew your membership with Parks and Trails Council.. You may download the Contact Form and return it by mail.
Links to our Donation Options
Scan this qr code to be directed to PayPal.
If you wish your donation to go to the Playground Project, include that as a note, or email the Friends of Itasca to make your wishes known.