Founded in 1879 when the railroad was completed to that point, the town of Lakefield in Jackson County lies near Heron Lake which got its name from the vast colonies of nesting black-crowned night herons that its first visitors found here over a century ago.
Indeed, the 228-acre Kilen Woods State Park just northeast of Lakefield is a bird-watching paradise with over 226 bird species inhabiting the area. Lakefield has three city parks sprinkled throughout the town with playground equipment, a shelter house, skateboard facilities, softball and baseball diamonds, a tennis court and a sand volleyball court. Lakefield’s wonderful aquatic center offers four water slides, waterspouts and a zero-depth pool for little ones. Lakefield’s residents are proud of their strong business community and invite visitors to enjoy one of their annual celebrations which include Summerfest in June, the Pork Chop Open golf outing in July and their Holiday Fest in November.