Brooklyn Park’s Recreation and Parks department is closing out the year with a full slate of community events, programs, and opportunities for residents of all ages — from preschool explorers and teens to older adults and adaptive recreation participants.

Even with snow on the ground, the city is already looking ahead to Tater Daze 2026. Brooklyn Park is accepting nominations for the 2026 Tater Daze Parade Grand Marshal, seeking a resident who reflects the city’s vision of being “a thriving community inspiring pride where opportunities exist for all.”

Nominees must:

Be a Brooklyn Park residentBe over the age of 18Have gone out of their way to support the community and made a real impact in Brooklyn Park

The selected Grand Marshal will lead the Tater Daze Parade on Saturday, May 30, 2026, and be highlighted in Park Pages and on Recreation and Parks social media. Self-nominations are welcome.

The city is inviting residents to close out the year with food, culture, and games.

Hmong New Year – December 13

Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center will host a Hmong New Year celebration on Saturday, December 13, from 5–9 p.m. at the Community Activity Center, 5600 85th Ave N. The event features performances by Park Center students, the CAPI Choir, Cypher Side, Cosmic Cloud, and Douachi Yang, along with a fashion show, prize drawings, a resource fair, and food served while supplies last. No registration is required.

Winter game night & family jigsaw race – December 19

Residents are invited to a Winter Game Night and Family Jigsaw Race on Friday, December 19. The game lounge opens at 5:30 p.m., the family puzzle race begins at 6 p.m., and winter-themed trivia starts at 8 p.m.

Teams of up to six people can register for a 350-piece family puzzle race for $10 per family, with prizes for the top three finishers. Entry to the game lounge is free and includes board and card games, trivia, an Elf movie screening, free hot cocoa and cookies, and pizza for purchase from Godfather’s Pizza. Optional pizza orders can be placed through the registration link.

Recreation and Parks is offering multiple ways for adults and families to stay active this winter.

A 5-on-5 adult basketball league at the Community Activity Center gym will play Thursday nights under National Federation rules, with two certified officials and a scorekeeper at each game. Registration is open through Friday, December 26, with play beginning January 8. The $600 team fee covers 7–8 regular season games and a single-elimination playoff.

Historic Eidem Farm will host nature preschool day camps for children ages 3–5 on Dec. 29, Dec. 30, Jan. 19, and Feb. 20. Campers will explore barnyards, gardens, insects, amphibians, snowshoeing, and animal tracking while using all their senses to experience the farm in all seasons. Programs run in rain or snow, with rain suits and boots available on-site. Children must be at least 3 years old and fully toilet trained by September 1; registration is requested one week prior to each camp date.

For families unsure which swim level to select, Brooklyn Park Aquatics is offering a free Winter Swim Assessment Day on Saturday, December 13, from 10:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. at Jackson Middle School Pool, 6000 109th Ave N, Champlin. Children ages 3–12 will be assessed based on American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim standards and placed in appropriate levels. Families register for a 15-minute time slot and are asked to arrive 10 minutes early with swimsuits, towels, and goggles.

Residents who use adult fitness classes, pickleball, or fitness rooms at the Community Activity Center must submit updated 2026 enrollment packets before returning to programs in January. Offerings include SilverSneakers, yoga, cardio strength, Zumba, and open pickleball for adults 18+.

A new daytime Hatha yoga class will launch in 2026, focused on body alignment, strength, flexibility, mindfulness, and breathwork. The class is accessible for beginners and experienced participants alike. Updated packets are required for all fitness classes, including the new Hatha yoga session.

Brooklyn Park continues to expand its adaptive recreation offerings for residents with developmental disabilities.

Adaptive fitness – ages 13+

Wednesdays, Jan. 21 – Mar. 18, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

Community Activity Center

$81 residents | $97.20 non-residents

Participants will engage in modified fitness games and activities designed for all abilities, focusing on exercise skills and fun group interaction.

Beauty within: adaptive art – ages 13+

Thursdays, Jan. 22 – Mar. 19, 5–6 p.m.

Community Activity Center

$81 residents | $97.20 non-residents

This new adaptive art class offers guided projects each week and a collaborative final piece at the end of the session. All materials are supplied, and family members or personal care providers are welcome.

Winter adaptive aquatics

Aquafinners (ages 5–14): group swim lessons for children with developmental disabilities, held during quiet pool times at Brooklyn and Jackson Middle Schools. Lessons focus on water safety and beginner swim skills in an inclusive environment.Aqua Fun Fit (ages 15+): a fitness-focused aquatics class for teens and adults with developmental disabilities who already have basic swim skills and water safety awareness.

Fees vary by site and residency, with sessions running from late January through mid-March.

A three-day retreat is planned for youth and young adults ages 5–24 to explore mental health, self-care, and wellness. The retreat will feature interactive sessions, creative activities, and supportive spaces to promote healing and empowerment.

Daytime indoor pickleball at the Community Activity Center runs October–April for $3 per session, with SilverSneakers, OnePass, and Renew Active benefits accepted. Residents can also join an email list for free to receive schedule updates and promotions.

Teen programming during Zanewood construction

Due to construction delays at Zanewood Recreation Center, teen programming is temporarily split between Zanewood and Hamilton Park through December 31, 2025. Enhanced teen programming and new youth spaces are expected to fully reopen in January 2026, including Morning Mix and expanded K–5 offerings.

Current teen programs include:

Elevating Young Women into Business – entrepreneurship, financial literacy, self-care, and leadershipChess Club – open to all skill levelsOpen Gym – Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30–8 p.m.Art Plug – painting, sculpture, and mixed mediaAura Beauty – lessons in hair, barbering, makeup, skincare, and self-careYoung Men’s Group – life skills and leadership developmentDebate Club: Convince Us! – weekly prompts, public speaking, and critical thinking

All teen programs are free, with transportation provided from Zanewood to Hamilton Park.

Adults on the move

Brooklyn Park’s Adults on the Move program offers trips and social events for older adults and other residents interested in lifelong learning and recreation.

Featured trips include:

The Sons, Branson Style Show
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., $110
A lunch and live show at the Riverside Inn Event Center in Cold Spring, Minn., featuring three-part harmony, comedy, bluegrass, country, cowboy, gospel, and patriotic music. Registration deadline is Dec. 15.Minnesota railroad history day trip
Thursday, Feb. 5, 9:15 a.m.–2:45 p.m., $102
A tour of the James J. Hill House and St. Paul’s Union Depot, including lunch at 1881 Eating House. Participants choose from several meal options and learn how railroads shaped St. Paul’s history. Registration deadline is Jan. 5.

The city emphasizes inclusion and accessibility in all programming. Residents can request disability-related accommodations, behavioral supports, allergy-related adjustments, or other inclusion needs when registering. Staff work with families to develop individualized inclusion plans where needed.

Brooklyn Park also offers fee assistance and scholarships for residents. Depending on income and household size, fee assistance can reduce program costs by up to 75 percent, with a maximum scholarship of $400 per person, per year. Additional support may be available for families experiencing homelessness or for children who are wards of the state. Assistance does not apply to facility rentals, leagues, private lessons, or trips, but additional help is available for summer camps and Summer Fusion.

The Three Rivers Figure Skating Club will host its 14th Annual Holiday Showcase on Saturday, December 13, from 2:15–3:30 p.m. in Rink 2 at the Community Activity Center. The event is free, features performances from the Brooklyn Park Theater on Ice group, and includes a Toys for Tots collection.

Reach for Resources is offering several winter events in Brooklyn Park and has launched Reach in Motion, a transportation service that helps people use county waiver funds to pay for Lyft rides through a Lyft Pass. The service includes assistance with app setup, waiver coordination, and monthly funding allocation, with a $28 monthly fee for the transportation support.

Community Action Partnership is also highlighted for its sponsorship of the city’s Spooktacular event and its assistance to Hennepin County residents needing help with energy bills.

Residents seeking more information about any of these programs or needing language or accessibility support are encouraged to contact the Community Activity Center or email the city’s access and inclusion team.