Itasca County Land Department
Park System
1177 LaPrairie Ave. Grand Rapids MN 55744
County Parks  
The Itasca County Park System manages four county parks and one natural area for resident and visitor enjoyment.
 
 
BASS LAKE COUNTY PARK : Bass Lake County Park and Campground is a pristine park surrounding beautiful Bass Lake and encompasses 663 acres of red and white pine, spruce, aspen, and cedar forest.  It is located off of Minnesota State Aid Highway 1, eleven miles east of Effie or eleven miles west of Togo , Minnesota .  The property was purchased by Itasca County in 1984 from the Boise Cascade Corporation with the help of a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.  Campground fees are comparable with other public campgrounds.  Camping visitations are limited to fourteen days per camp unit.  
Park facilities include:  
CAMPSITES: There are 29 sites in the park with five as tent sites only.  All sites feature the amenities of a picnic table, fire grate, and tent pad and/or camper slot.  All sites provide a lakeshore access.  
PICNIC AREA: The picnic area is a triangular shaped site measuring approximately 350’ by 170’.  This area was damaged by the 1989 windstorm that left two large pines near the center of the site standing.  We have renovated the site by providing a level grassy area.  
TRAILS: Bass Lake Park is interlaced with many trails within its 663-acre boundary.  Park System personnel minimally maintain the trails.  At the present time, most of the trails are open to multiple uses that include hikers, bikers, equestrian use, and Off Highway Vehicles of less than 1000 pounds.  There is also a hiker only trail located around the south half of Bass Lake , which allows for complete circle hikes of the lake.  
BEACH: Bass Lake has one constructed and maintained beach, which is located at the southeastern end of the campground complex.  Park personnel constructed this beach in 1988.  There are presently several user developed swim areas throughout the campground.  This beach is a swim at your own risk facility as there are no beaches operated by the County that are protected by lifeguards.  
OTHER: Other facilities at Bass Lake Park include – 4 drinking wells, trash cans throughout the park, and 9 outdoor privies (3 of which are 1000 gallon vault type ADA approved outhouses).  
GUNN PARK: Gunn Park is a highly developed model community park located north of Grand Rapids along Highway 38, the Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway.  It is located on the shores of Prairie Lake in Arbo Township .  This park was developed and managed by the Blandin Paper Company in the 1960’s.  Itasca Little League, who retained ownership of the baseball fields, donated the park property to Itasca County in 2003.  Gunn Park encompasses 50 acres of red and white pine, spruce, and aspen forest.
 
 
Park facilities include:  
 
PAVILION: Gunn Park has a beautiful stone and wood pavilion that can be reserved for large group activities.  It is an open-air facility with a built in fireplace and numerous picnic tables.  For reservations call 218-326-0032.  
 
PICNIC AREA: The Park is equipped with several picnic tables providing a large day use area for families and individuals.  A small set of playground equipment is also located near the picnic area and pavilion.  Large pine trees, benches, and flowerbeds frame the scenic setting.  
 
FISHING PIER: A fishing pier is located in the park providing users with a facility for fishing in the lake.  
 
BALLFIELDS: Several baseball and softball fields are located in this park.  The Little League organization has ownership and management of these facilities.  A cooperative agreement has been  worked out between the Park System and Little League, for use of one of the ball fields by the public.  
OTHER: Other facilities located in Gunn Park include modern flush toilets and a large parking area.  The Blandin Paper Company included several experimental plots of evergreen trees in the park during the 1960’s.  These plots of trees will need to be inventoried and evaluated as a part of the park planning process.    
 
FURLONG FAMILY MEMORIAL PARK :  The Furlong Family in the memory of John Furlong donated this property to Itasca County in 2001.  It is an 8-acre small park and carry-in access located on Loon Lake south of Marble on County Road 69 in unorganized township 55N 23W.  The park includes a parking area and a carry-in access (Class 3) to Loon Lake.  The natural features of this park include a beautiful stand of Norway Pine and a low wetland.  
 
BOY SCOUT TRIANGLE:  The Boy Scout Triangle, located in southeast Grand Rapids along County Road 3 is a small park located within the City of Grand Rapids .  The park contains a small number of trees and a few benches.  
 
DRUMBEATER ISLAND NATURAL AREA:  Drumbeater Island Natural Area is a 17-acre island located in Pokegama Lake , south of Grand Rapids .  It’s acquisition was funded through the cooperative efforts of the Greater Pokegama Lake Association, Blandin Paper Company, Itasca County , and the State of Minnesota .  In 2001 Itasca County acquired the island from the Blandin Paper Company with the assistance of a State of Minnesota-Department of Natural Resources Natural and Scenic Area Grant, a Blandin Paper Company donation of a portion of the island, and a donation from the Greater Pokegama Lake Association.
The County Park and Recreation System manages the island as a Natural Area to properly protect the natural and/or scenic resources in perpetuity.  There are no developed recreation facilities on the island.  Drumbeater Island has important natural and scenic qualities including a maturing old growth forest and possible cultural resources.  It also provides an important habitat for wildlife and undeveloped lakeshore for fish on an already very developed lake.  “Funding for this project was provided in part by the State of Minnesota by Chapter 404, Sec. 7, subd. 26 of the 1998 Capital Improvements Bill, better known as the Omnibus Bonding Bill.”