Exploring Andrews Park: Champlin's Premier Family & Sports Destination
Located at 7200 117th Ave N, Andrews Park is the crown jewel of Champlin's park system — a versatile, year-round destination that pulls quadruple duty as a massive sports complex for local leagues, a summer water-play oasis for families, a winter hub for pickup hockey, and a community gathering space that draws crowds from across the northern suburbs.
This guide covers everything Andrews Park has to offer: the famous free splash pad that anchors summer visits, the extensive athletic fields that host leagues and tournaments all season long, the winter amenities that keep the park active once the snow flies, and the practical logistics you'll want before heading over.
The Star Attraction: The Andrews Park Splash Pad
For most families, the splash pad is the whole reason Andrews Park shows up in a summer search — and it's earned that reputation.
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| The zero-depth splash pad at Andrews Park. Source: Family Fun Twin Cities |
Zero-Depth Summer Fun
The Andrews Park Splash Pad is a genuine kid magnet, packed with interactive water sprayers, dumping buckets, flower showers, and boat-themed features built right into the concrete deck. Because it's a fully zero-depth facility, there's no pool to fall into — just water rising up from the ground — making it an especially safe option for toddlers and younger kids still getting comfortable around water. Best of all, admission is completely free and open to the public, typically running from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend each year.
The Splash Pad Pavilion and Shade
Parents tend to have one big question before heading out: where do I sit? Andrews Park has that covered, with shade umbrellas built into the splash pad deck and a nearby picnic pavilion offering additional seating, along with a small snack shack for ice cream and cold treats on hot days. Restrooms and a changing area are also available right on site, so a day at the splash pad doesn't require a lot of extra planning.
Family Playgrounds and Picnic Areas
Just steps from the water features, Andrews Park offers plenty to do on dry land too.
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| The main playground structure at Andrews Park. Source: Family Fun Twin Cities |
The Main Playground Structure
The park's main playground is genuinely one of the better-equipped structures in Champlin, split into a larger modular play area for bigger kids and a separate toddler-age creative play zone for younger visitors. Its location right next to the splash pad is a real convenience for parents — kids can bounce back and forth between climbing and cooling off without anyone needing to leave sight of the action.
Renting Pavilions for Events
Andrews Park's picnic pavilion, complete with a prep area and meeting room, makes it a popular pick for birthday parties, team banquets, and family reunions. For exclusive use of the space, reservations go through the City of Champlin's Parks and Recreation Department — it's worth calling or booking online well ahead of a summer weekend, since demand climbs fast once the warm weather hits.
A Hub for Athletics: The Sports Complex
Andrews Park's athletic facilities are extensive enough to draw traveling leagues from well beyond Champlin's borders.
| Facility Type | Quantity/Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Softball/Baseball | 4 softball fields + 1 baseball field | Evening leagues, weekend tournaments |
| Soccer/Football | 3 open fields | Youth leagues, pickup games |
| Tennis Courts | 4 paved courts | Casual matches, community lessons |
| Sand Volleyball | 1 court near the pavilion | Summer recreation, casual games |
The fields themselves are well-maintained, with groomed dirt infields on the softball and baseball diamonds and a centralized building housing concessions and restrooms that opens up during major tournaments. The Champlin Dayton Athletic Association runs much of its summer softball and soccer programming here, with leagues spanning everything from first grade through high school — a big part of why the park stays busy nearly every evening from late spring through fall.
Winter Recreation: Ice Rinks and Warming House
Andrews Park doesn't slow down once the temperature drops. The park maintains two permanent hockey rinks, complete with boards and nets, plus a separate free skating area for anyone who just wants to glide around rather than play a game. A seasonal warming house gives skaters a place to lace up, thaw out, and escape the wind between sessions — a small amenity that makes a big difference on a genuinely cold Minnesota afternoon.
Community Events at Andrews Park
Beyond its day-to-day use, Andrews Park plays a supporting role in one of Champlin's biggest annual traditions: the Father Hennepin Festival, held each June and named for the explorer credited with naming nearby St. Anthony Falls. While the bulk of the festival's carnival rides, concerts, and fireworks take place at Mississippi Point Park and Chandler Park along the river, Andrews Park gets in on the action too — hosting signature events like the annual "Guns & Hoses" softball game between local police and fire departments, festival-week pickleball tournaments, and serving as one of the designated parking and shuttle locations for festival-goers throughout the week.
Essential Visitor Information
- Address: 7200 117th Ave N, Champlin, MN 55316
- Park Hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
- Splash Pad Hours: Typically 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
- Parking: Large, free off-street parking lots (note: lots fill up quickly during summer weekend tournaments, so arrive early)
- Pro Tip: Visiting the splash pad on a hot July weekend? Pack your own folding lawn chairs or a picnic blanket — the shaded tables are usually claimed by 10:30 AM.
Conclusion: Your Year-Round Champlin Hub
Few parks in the northern suburbs offer this much range — from splash pad afternoons and tournament softball to pickup hockey under the lights come winter, Andrews Park has built a reputation as one of Champlin's most reliable community anchors. Whatever the season, it's worth packing up the car and spending an afternoon here to see why locals keep coming back. Check out our full City of Champlin, Minnesota guide.