Quarry Park Passes
GRRL has partnered with Stearns County Parks through a pass program similar to the State Parks Pass. The Stearns County Parks Pass offers up to 7 days of access to Quarry Park & Nature Preserve in Waite Park (parking typically $5-10/day depending on the season or $25 annually). Stearns County parks, aside from Quarry Park, have free admission.
Each Stearns County library has two passes:
- Albany
- Belgrade
- Cold Spring
- Kimball
- Melrose
- Paynesville
- Richmond
- St. Cloud
- Sauk Centre
- Waite Park
For more information about Stearns County Parks, please visit the Stearns County Parks Department website.
Stearns County Parks Department Seeks Public Input on Improvements for Quarry Park Master Plan
The Stearns County Parks Department is in the process of updating the master plan for Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, the largest and most visited county park in the system. The master plan will identify a vision for the future, including investments in the park over the next ten to 20 years. In order to develop recommendations that represent the desires or existing and future park users, Stearns County is asking for residents and visitors to provide input via an online survey and online map.
The last Quarry Park and Nature Preserve Master Plan was written in 1995, and many improvements have been made since that time. The recently developed Stearns County Parks, Trails, and Recreation Master Plan identified future improvements to Quarry Park, including:
- expand mountain bike trails;
- update swimming, climbing, and fishing access and amenities;
- and build an interpretive center, amphitheater, and update the parking lot.
We want to hear from you about your experience with Quarry Park and Nature Preserve. Please help the county plan by providing your input. The input will be reviewed and considered by county staff, the Stearns County Parks Commission and the Stearns County Board of Commissioners to help determine priorities for the master plan.
How can you provide input?
Respond to a questionnaire regarding how you use Quarry Park today and what ideas you have for future improvements—it should take 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey will be open for comments through February 16, 2026. Please spread the word and share the link above.