Located on the north shore of Medicine Lake in Plymouth, French Regional Park offers a variety of opportunities for outdoor exploration. Park visitors can paddle the scenic channels of Medicine Lake, take a refreshing hike through maple woodlands, or launch a boat and enjoy a day on the water.

The park's fabulous creative play area and swimming beach are popular summer attractions for area children, and its terrific picnic areas have long been a favorite setting for family or corporate outings.

The park's lighted trails attract scores of autumn hikers and cross-country skiers, and its turf pet-walking trail is a popular destination for dog walkers. Paved trails lead from the park entrance to the visitor center, play area and beach. They connect to the regional trail along the lake's east shore and eventually lead to the Luce Line State Trail.

Facilities and Amenities

Visitor Center - Open 12 months each year, this facility contains concessions, public seating and restrooms. The Oakwood and Eastwood meeting rooms are available for rental. These rooms provide a perfect setting for business meetings, family functions and celebrations. The Eastwood Room can accommodate 35 people. The Oakwood Room can accommodate 75 people. < How to reserve a rental room

Boat launch and fishing pier - 52 spaces are available for trailer parking for those launching watercraft into Medicine Lake. An accessible fishing pier is located on the lagoon.

Swimming beach - French Regional Park's swimming beach on Medicine Lake offers a great escape from the summer heat. A curtain encloses the swimming area so water quality can be managed. Changing rooms and restrooms are located nearby the beach. Ice cream and pop are available at the boat rental building.

Public and group picnic areas - Many non-reservation picnic areas are available near the lake and next to the Visitor Center. Picnic tables and grills are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are three reservation group picnic areas, two of which have shelters. All have restroom facilities and volleyball. < Group Picnic Area Reservation Information

Creative play area - Kids love French Regional Park's cargo-net climbing structure! This spectacular play area interconnects a pre-school/accessible play area on the one end with an older age group play area on the other end. Open seasonally.

Bike/hike trails (paved, 3.4 miles) - A paved one-mile trail loop encircles the dredged channel area between the Visitor Center and the beach.

Turf hiking trails (7 miles) - Escape the hustle bustle while still in view of the downtown skyline! The park's turf trails feature views of marshlands, hills for climbing and a few seating areas for relaxing.

Trails...At Your Pace (1.1 mile) - This gentle paved trail features rest stops every quarter mile. Trail starts near visitor center.

Dog trails (3.8 miles) - The 1.7 mile long turf pet trail can be accessed from the north parking lot by the Visitor Center. Dogs are allowed on 2.1 miles of paved trail. Dog-walkers are required to keep their dogs on leashes no longer than 6 feet and must clean up after the pets. Dogs must not be allowed to interfere with other trail users. Violators will be fined.

Boat rental - The boat rental building is open during the summer season and is located on the lagoon, down by the beach. There are paddleboats, rowboats, kayaks and canoes available for rental; a picture I.D. is required and someone age 16 or older must be on each watercraft. For boat rental hours call 763/694-7750

Sailboat Slip Rentals - Sailboat slip rentals are available for sailboats under 20 feet in length. Winter lift storage also is available. All slips and storage spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 763/694-7750 for more information.

Cross Country Ski rental - Ski rentals are available to use on park ski trails for children and adults during the ski season. Equipment may be rented for traditional skiing and ski-skating; a picture I.D. is required for all rentals.

Cross-country ski trails (10.2 K; 6.1K lighted) - The ski trails are groomed daily at French; most trails allow for traditional and ski-skating however, the Lagoon Trail is groomed for traditional skiing only. Trails start at the Visitor Center. A daily or annual Three Rivers Park District Ski Pass is required. In the winter, the Visitor Center serves as a trail head. Non-lighted trails are open from sunrise to sunset. Lighted trails are open from 5 a.m. to sunrise and from sunset to 10 p.m. daily.

Lighted sliding hill - A sliding hill is located near the Visitor Center where children can use non-rail sleds (snowboards and tubes are not allowed). The sliding hill is open until 10 p.m. < Snow Conditions Report

Programs

Recreation and Nature Programs

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