Parks & Recreation

Parks & Recreation Facilities

Boon Park

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1219 West Fannetta Street Dexter, MO 63841
Boon park covers six acres with large picnic and playground areas, two pavilions, two lighted tennis courts, basketball court, public restrooms, water fountains, grills, and handicap accessible playground equipment.

Boon Park provides playground equipment for individuals with physical handicaps. The park features a wide bottom slide, roller slide, a swing for more than one person, swings that support the back/arms/legs, spinning pieces, a quiet space or pod, monkey bars/overhead bars, sensory maze, Braille panel, parent child swing, something bouncy, ramping, flat safety surfacing, something high and something low, a place to race or compete for parent/child or siblings/friends, shade, textured surfaces and a bench for bird watching. New handicap accessible restrooms have been installed closer to the parking area for easier access and fencing has been updated around the existing tennis courts.  

East Park

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500 Fairground Drive Dexter, MO 63841
This major community park is 28.5 acres has two lighted ball diamonds, two pavilions, a horseshoe pit, playground equipment, picnic area, public restrooms, water fountains, and grills.

Sports Complex

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711 Fairgrounds Drive Dexter, MO 63841
The Sports Complex sits on approximately 30 acres with two soccer fields, one basketball court, four lighted 300 foot softball fields in circular design with central concession area, two practice ball fields, and two lighted fields outside the main complex.

West Park

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619 West Oak Dexter, MO 63841
West Park covers nine acres and has a large picnic area, water fountains, grills, public restroom, two pavilions, basketball courts, playground equipment, and paved walking trail.

Lucy's Dog Park

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401 West Market Dexter, MO 63841
Lucy's Dog Park is open to the public. The Dog Park has a large dog side and a small dog side. The park is located between Southern Bank and Three Rivers Community College. Facebook

Dexter Fishing Lake

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401 Cooper Street Dexter, MO 63841
Covering eleven acres of environmental area for community fishing, the inside perimeter of the lake has been planted with shade trees. The lake also has a handicap accessible dock for fishing.

Dexter Community Garden & Heritage House

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307 Cooper Street Dexter, MO 63841
One of Dexter’s original homes, the Heritage House was built in 1870. The restored house has been moved to a park and occupies property, which includes a shed and farm machinery. The Heritage House has been restored and maintained by local non-profit volunteer organization providing tours and other events recalling regions past.

The grounds will be the site of the new Dexter Community Garden. Join us as we nurture all-natural produce, share gardening tips, and foster friendships. Register for Newsletter 
This area will incorporate raised beds, handicap accessible beds, and in-ground beds available for sponsoring or personal usage through a sign-up process. Follow Our Facebook and Instagram Page

Aquatic Center

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518 Fairground Drive Dexter, MO 63841
2024 Season is May 25- August 11
Open 1:00pm to 5:30pm 7 days a week
Admission is $8.50 per person-Children under 2 admission is free
Season Passes are available for families and individuals
Swimming pool includes play area for children, slides, bathhouses, and concession stand. Pool accepts cash, check or credit card.

Dexter Park & Recreation Gym

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522 Fairground Drive Dexter, MO 63841
The DPR Gym is used for youth & adult scheduled programs only. To reserve the gym call the park office or fill out a request form online

Sugar Plum Park

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Williams Drive Dexter, MO 63841
Sugar Plum Park is a quarter acre vest pocket playground facility focused for preschoolers, picnic area, and playground equipment. The park was donated to the City by the Morgan family in the 1960s, and is designed as a park for youth. 

Bell Park

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76 MO-25 Business Loop, Dexter, MO 63841
Bell Park is a less than one acre frontage quarter block in the downtown area. Designed, completed, then donated to the City by Southwestern Bell as a rest area for downtown shoppers.

Parks & Recreation Activities

Sports & Leagues

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The Dexter Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of youth sports programming and competitive adult leagues.

Youth Basketball

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Ages: Youth 7-12
Game Locations: Dexter Parks & Recreation Gym at 522 Fairground Drive Dexter, MO 63841
Season: The league will run October-December
Registration: Opens in August and deadlines in September. Register in office or online. 
Equipment: Uniform shirts will be provided by the Park Department.
Divisions: Girls Ages (7,8,& 9), Boys Ages (7,8,& 9), Boys Ages (10,11,&12)
To Register

Girls Youth & Women's Adult Volleyball

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Ages: Girls Grades 4th-6th,
~Adult Women 18+
Game Locations: Dexter Parks & Recreation Gym at 522 Fairground Drive Dexter, MO 63841
Season: Girls Youth league will run September-October.
~Women's adult league will begin approximately mid October and will run until mid-February. 
Registration: Girls league opens July and deadlines in August.
~Women's Adult league opens in September and is by team: Teams must have a minimum of 7 players, no more than 12.
To Register

Youth Tackle Football

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Grades: For boys 3rd-6th
Game Locations: This program has joined Heartland Football League and will travel. There will be some home games at the high school field in Dexter. The towns we will play include Jackson, Caruthersville, Kennett, Kelly, Chaffee, New Madrid, Hayti, and Poplar Bluff with others possible.
Season: The league will run July-October.
Registration: Opens in June and deadlines in July. Individuals may register in office or online.
Equipment: Uniform jerseys, helmets, shoulder pads and mouth pieces will be provided by the Park Department and are required to participate, as well as football pants that are not provided.   
Divisions: Boys Grade (3rd & 4th), Boys Grade (5th & 6th)
To Register

Youth Soccer

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Grades: Co-ed Fall Soccer K / 1-2 / 3-4 / 5-6 & Co-ed Spring Soccer 3rd-6th
Game Locations: The Sports Complex at 711 Fairgrounds Drive Dexter, MO 63841
Season: Fall league will run September-October & Spring league will run April-May
Registration: Fall soccer opens in July and deadlines in August. Spring soccer opens in January and deadlines in March. Register in office or online.
Equipment: Uniform shirts will be provided by the Park Department. Shin guards are required to participate.
Divisions: The league will be divided into grade appropriate divisions.
To Register

Youth Baseball

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Ages: Youth 5-12
Game Locations: The Sports Complex at 711 Fairgrounds Drive Dexter, MO 63841 
Season: The league will run May-June.
Registration: Opens in January and deadlines in March. Individuals may register in office or online.
Equipment: Uniform shirts will be provided by the Park Department. Players will be required to provide their own ball glove and we recommend that players have their own batting helmet. 
Divisions: Co-ed Ages (5 & 6), Boys Ages (7 & 8), Boys Ages (9&10), Boys Ages (11&12)
For Schedule To Register

Youth Softball

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Ages: Youth 7-12
Game Locations: The Sports Complex at 711 Fairgrounds Drive Dexter, MO 63841
Season: The league will run May-June.
Registration: Opens in January and deadlines in March. Individuals may register in office or online.
Equipment: Uniform shirts will be provided by the Park Department. Players will be required to provide their own ball glove and we recommend that players have their own batting helmet. 
Divisions: Girls Ages (7,8,& 9), Girls Ages (10,11,&12)
For Schedule To Register

Youth Track and Field

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Ages: Youth 5-14
Meet Locations: Dexter High School Track at 1101 West Grant Dexter, MO 63841.
Subject to change but meets are typically held in Dexter, Poplar Bluff, Jackson, Cape Girardeau, and Marble Hill.
Season: Meets will run April-May.
Registration: Opens in January and deadlines in March. Individuals may register in office or online 
Equipment: Uniform shirts will be provided by the Park Department.
Divisions: Track is an individual registration offered to boys and girls ages 5-14.
For Schedule To Register

Grille It Up

Grille It Up

Saturday, July 12, 2025 9:00am
East Park

Dexter Parks and Recreation proudly brings you Grille it Up! An annual community event created for the whole family. Most popular activities include a car show, cornhole tournament, and the Super Troopers Mud Volleyball tournament. Featured at Grille it Up are food vendors and various snack vendors. Throughout the day, there will be a range of event vendors set up around the park for your enjoyment.  Bounce houses, local crafts, and much more are expected to fill the East Park. Grab a seat, a meal, and a drink and enjoy all the excitement this community event has to offer. For more information, check out our Facebook Page, or contact us at the Park Office.

Halloween Happening

Halloween Happening

Thursday, October 31, 2024 5:00pm-8:00pm
Dexter East Park (Hwy 114 by pool)

It's a Halloween Party with Trick or Treating!  Come join us for booth to booth trick or treating in a kid friendly zone. Food Trucks will be available as well as Semo Selfie and Sound to keep us entertained.

Booth spaces are available to all Businesses/Churches/Organizations to set up, decorate and hand out candy in a "door to door" like environment without the assembly line feel of a trunk or treat.  Electricity is available in some areas.  Contact the park office for more information, 573-624-8244.  Online registration available!

Light It Up

Light It Up

December 6, 2024- January 3, 2024
East Park

Drive through East Park to enjoy the Christmas Displays December 6, 2024- January 3, 2024

Please Help: Keeping our parks in the best condition is a full-time job. By taking pride in the parks and keeping them clean, Dexter residents can help maintain and support our community. The Parks and Recreation Department wants to work with residents in providing quality recreational programs and attractive parks. Your suggestions regarding any park improvements, recreational activities, clinics, or sports programs is greatly appreciated.

Crime Stopper: Immediately report any vandalism, misuse, or abuse of park property to the Police Department (573) 624-5512. Give authorities as much information as possible about what you observed including descriptions of person and/or vehicle and license numbers. If you choose to remain anonymous you may do so. Your participation will help assure safe quality parks for our children and ourselves. Each year the Parks and Recreation Department incurs a great deal of needless expense to repair damage caused to your parks by vandalism. Please notify the Parks and Recreation Office as soon as you see broken playground equipment, damaged facilities or vandalism anywhere in the park system.

Parks are open from sunrise to 10:00pm. Picnic facilities are provided in our parks and can be used on a first come, first served basis when not reserved. Pavilions are located in East, West, and Boon Parks. Pavilions can be reserved for $10 per day per pavilion.