At 43.3 acres, South City Park is Brookfield’s largest park. It offers two specific reasons to visit: the Essig Family McDonald’s 18-hole Disc Golf Course and the Brookfield Aquatic Center. East Twin Park, the Tillman House and the “Littlest Park on Main” offer different attractions—from community use and local history to art and events. If you are considering Brookfield as a place to stay, you can plan your travel dates around your interests.
Disc Golf and the Aquatic Center at South City Park
The Essig Family McDonald’s 18-hole Disc Golf Course is located in South City Park and is free to play. Its 18-hole format and free access make it a specific option for visitors who would like to fit a round of disc golf into their stay. Along with the park’s size, this makes it a clear focus for anyone looking to get to know Brookfield through its park offerings.
The Brookfield Aquatic Center is also located in South City Park. As details about its offerings may change, it is advisable to check them in advance if the center is important to your travel plans. This keeps the park and its various offerings as distinct, easy-to-understand planning options, without requiring you to assume that the center provides any particular services.
Community and remembrance at East Twin Park
East Twin Park combines community use with places of remembrance: a pavilion is used for community activities, and the park also includes a war memorial and a memorial rose garden. This combination sets the park apart from the disc golf focus at South City Park. It offers two different reasons to visit—the community pavilion and the areas specifically dedicated to remembrance.
A glimpse into Brookfield’s history
The Tillman House is a museum featuring antiques and several distinct themed rooms: a military room, a railroad exhibit, a schoolroom and a music room. This range makes a visit interesting for travelers who are interested in more than just one part of local history. The rooms cover military and technical subjects as well as school and music, alongside the antiques. The house therefore offers a different cultural focus from the parks and their places of remembrance.
The naming of the Twin Parks also stems from a historical decision. City officials divided the land and chose the name Twin Parks.
Art and events on Main
A 2025 article describes the “Littlest Park on Main” as a centrally located, multipurpose place. It mentions events, string lights, seasonal decorations and local art. This makes the park a cultural and community highlight distinct from the larger park grounds and museum rooms. Visitors coming to Brookfield for local art or an event can include the “Littlest Park on Main” as a focus of their trip.
When to visit and planning your trip
The Great Pershing Balloon Derby is one of Brookfield’s Labor Day Week events. If the derby is the reason for your trip, check the specific event dates in advance.
A seasonal schedule listed the Tillman House as open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the months of May through October. Before your visit, check whether these hours apply to your travel dates. The different attractions can also help you choose when to travel: for a trip centered on the derby, the specific event date matters; for a museum visit, the house’s visiting hours are key.
For a broader travel overview: Linn County.
