Tour the Prairie

Chautauqua Park was the city's first park and was originally referred to a" Lake Park. At the turn of the century and on into the 1930's it became a stop on the national Chautauqua circuit. The local Chautauqua society was formed by Professor C. H. Wame. The citizens built a wooden pavilion overlooking Okabena Lake, to provide an area for theater entertainment, lectures, musical events, and comedy productions. The Chautauqua program was an annual summer event, that ended in 1931 with evangelist Billy Sunday as the last attraction. The park is a community park and is handicap accessible, located on the shores of Lake Okabena. Modern restroom and has an abundance of green space. Fishing dock located within park. Although the dock is not handicap accessible, there is an abundance of shoreline available for fishing. Enclosed and open shelter with electricity, natural gas (enclosed area only) and water. Enclosed shelter is available to rent. Weekly city band concerts on Wednesday evenings approximately mid June thru mid July at 7 pm. within the band shell.