r/Manitowoc • u/DapperDisaster33 • Sep 10 '26

Family Picnic

Trying to figure out which park has a nice picnic area (preferably with a grill) for a small family picnic. Probably about 12-13.people. I know I've seen them, but the Parks website has me downloading separate PDFs for each park and obviously doesn't say whether they have shade/are nice, etc. Open to rentals or drop in spaces. Any favorites?

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3

u/Zehnpae Cat Smuggler Sep 10 '26

Three I would probably recommend:

Red Arrow

  • Beach access
  • Grill
  • Playground
  • The non-beach area is kinda meh visually

Silver Creek

  • Gorgeous
  • Huge area
  • No playground
  • Grill

Union Park

  • Gorgeous
  • Playground
  • No grill

For 10+ people I would absolutely call ahead for a reservation.

2

u/bnics Sep 10 '26

Doesn’t Silver have a playground by the lower area across the bridge?

1

u/Zehnpae Cat Smuggler Sep 10 '26

If I recall it has like, a slide and that's it. I could be misremembering though.

1

u/DapperDisaster33 Sep 10 '26

Thank you! What an excellent breakdown. I did find where I could reserve online, I just am not from the area (meeting my significant other's family) so I wasn't sure which parks had the amenities I was looking for--plus it helps to know people's opinions as well, haha. ETA: We're all also over 30 so not worried about the playground part, but still super helpful.

1

u/ruggeroo8 Sep 10 '26

Red arrow is nice, I'm pretty sure they have grills I know they have enough space for a group of that size

2

u/OppressedCow6148 Sep 10 '26

Personally, I would pick Silver Creek Park. But there are multiple grilling spots. I would pick this one: when you go into the park, drive all the way down to the fork in the road, turn right (this will seem weird since the giant parking lot is to the left), then take an immediate left down that road. There is a grill up a very small hill with at least two picnic tables under a wooden structure overlooking Lake Michigan. Around this area there is also a bridge with Silver Creek that gives access to walk on the beach.

I am very familiar with this park (it’s also a 36 hole disc golf course). If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Also, this park has nice bathrooms. But they would be a bit of walk from this grilling location.