Erickson Park

Home to Erickson Pool, Climbing Structure and Concessions!

Erickson Park, located next to Losey Boulevard, was named after Edwin Erickson. Mr. Erickson was born in La Crosse in 1889 and was the president of Erickson Bakeries. He served on the Common Council from 1925-1937, on the board of education from 1934-1937, and was a member of the board of police and fire commissioners from 1937-1947. He was interested in the development of the City’s parks, specifically in the improvements to Bliss Road and Grandad Bluff Park. Mr. Erickson left a bequest of $25,000 to build a bandstand in Cameron Park, and the funds were transferred to Erickson Park by his heirs.

The park land was purchased by the City of La Crosse in 1920 to be used as the Salzer Field airfield, but that plan was abandoned in 1932.The park was dedicated as The Edwin Erickson Recreation Field on August 4, 1955. The recreational field was initially acquired to hold circuses. The 13-acre site had been planted with 100 trees by The Center Ring, a La Crosse area group of circus fans, and the dedication of the field coincided with the appearance of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus in La Crosse. Playground equipment, baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts and practice fields were also planned at the site.

Erickson Park is currently 9.14-acres in size. A pool and bathhouse were constructed at the park in 1965, and by 1978 two lighted tennis courts and two ball diamonds had been added. Erickson Pool was replaced by a zero-depth pool in 2003.