We pulled into the parking lot with the Grands, both children stopped talking immediately and…read morecrooned, "ooohh!" They literally dived out of the vehicle and ran into the park and began playing on all of the equipment. It's a small park at the trailhead near Theodore Wirth Parkway. Easy to find, plenty of parking, lots of shade and picnic tables to sit at while the family plays. It's a circuit of equipment for agility and balance. It's designed for adults but the children adore it. There's a sign at the beginning with a map on how to use each piece of equipment. The kids immediately acclimated to the circuit and began running it and timing themselves on their Apple watches. Along the side there is a running track. We had to drag them away when it was time to go to lunch. Their parting words were, "be sure and tell our mom how to get here."

Apparently, there's a nude beach in the Twin Cities. Cool…read more I read a book under the shade while friends frolicked in the water. No one minded that I was clothed any more than I minded that most were not. -1 for no showers -1 for the string of recent thefts there

My kiddos love this park! Both boys, one 4.5 and the other 1.5, both have a blast whenever we go…read more The play structures are very new. Looks like they have been replaced within the past few years. The main structure is fairly large. I believe it has 3 or 4 slides and a tall 'rock wall' for climbing. My little one can navigate but it's high in the air so I prefer to accompany him up there. The smaller platform, for tots his age, has wide steps, a steering wheel, a gradual slide, and a hiding place underneath. Then there's this yellow globe type thing that they can crawl into bed spin. Neither have been much into it but I've seen a lot of older kids enjoying. Four swings, two regular, one for infants, and I believe an accessibility swing, too. Other aspects of the park include a covered picnic area, tennis courts, softball field, and a lit soccer field turned ice arena in the winter. Great for all ages!

A nice little park in front of Twin Lakes...and happens to just be in my neighborhood... I can just…read morewalk there from my patio! I love the paths and enjoy walks around the lake on a weekday evening. The area is safe, quiet, lovely and serene. I feel blessed to have this in my neighborhood.

This is a nice green space that bumps up against cycling and pedestrian paths along the river. You…read morecan really feel some Minneapolis history when walking around here, as you're surrounded by beautiful buildings from a time when milling was (seemingly) the biggest industry around. Speaking of milling around, I was coming out of a meeting and had a gap between calls, so this was my chance to steal a little time in this fine city and see what the energy is like. I tell you on a late May day with full sunshine and temperatures locked in around 70 degrees, the energy is pretty damn perfect. This only added to my already high appreciation of this city. So you can kind of tell I'm lumping the surrounding area in here, not just the acreage of grass and signs that make up Gold Medal Park. You're also just steps away from some coffee shops, businesses, a liquor store, and even the Vikings stadium. It's great how nestled away it seems despite being integrated into the fabric of downtown. Overall this is a great space and if I stay in the area again, I'll probably try to find the time to explore the paths and surrounds further.

Spend some time in the Guthrie and then came outside to enjoy the the un-conditioned air :)…read more The park is a beautiful open space. The hill gives you are great view of the entire surrounding area. Lovely :)

I walked the 8 miles around the lake! I started and ended at East Medicine Lake Park. It was a very…read morewell marked path that stayed close to the lake 50-60% of the time! It was fairly well shaded by trees. Approximately 3 bathroom and water opportunities. I saw a lot of new beaches and fishing points on this walk. It took 3 hours with a few stops. Overall 5/5 recommend for novice hikers!

Medicine Lake is such a lovely lake and the perfect spot for a nice stroll. A perfect visit for…read moresolitude and also a nice lake to gather with a company of friends to walk and talk! It is located less than 10 miles from Minneapolis in the suburb of Plymouth, quick getaway from the city. There are lovely parks surrounding the lake, and the paths are nicely paved connecting to Minneapolis, Maple Grove, and Minnetonka. The paths are ideal for biking, running, and a nice stroll. There's lots and lots of parking, Medicine Lake is one of my favorite lakes and I love the walking paths something one can enjoy all year long with the change of seasons, oh the colors and the fragrance! It is one of the reasons I love living in the Twin Cities. The photos below is from my walk on Sunday June 12, 2022 which was a perfect early summer day.

I love this park and consider myself so lucky to live close by. The walking and biking trails…read morestretch for miles and seem almost endless. They also follow the Mississippi which makes for a truly calming and serene experience. The playground is huge! There are things for every age group. My only dislike is that it is a sand playground but the kids love it so I can't complain too much. There are picnic shelters and a lot of unsheltered grills with one picnic table which I don't believe require reservations. The interpretive center building is a great place for kids to play and explore. It has a little golf putting area, animal costumes and so much more. You could easily spend an hour in there and the staff are so nice. We're excited to try the wading pool this summer!

North Mississippi Park convinced me to live in North Minneapolis…read more I come here for the playground, which is a bit larger than your typical Minneapolis playground. It is rarely crowded, maybe bc not many people could walk here. I always bring my camera bc it is so freaking gorgeous by the river. The park get busier when the wading pool opens, but we have wading pools closer to our house. I also love taking my kids right down to the shore. Too bad I'm not any good at skipping stones. On the south side of the park is a great Nature Center. Kroening has some great programs and many of them are free! It also has a little history information on the neighborhood which is cool.

This park is lovely, with Stone Arch Bridge anchoring one point, large bathrooms, and several…read moretrails. The Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Trail runs through this park, and there is also a lower trail that takes you near the river and provides a lovely lower vantage point of Stone Arch Bridge - perfect for photos. The lower trail does have some stairs and the trail does get narrow/not paved. The park has plenty of benches and grassy areas. Lots of mature trees provide shade. Plenty of people were jogging and biking during my visit. Do note that Stone Arch Bridge closes on 4th of July to prevent people from unsafely congregating on the bridge. When I visited on the 4th, they had blocked off the bridge so I couldn't take photos on the bridge. A lot of locals were also surprised too. Lots of street parking here, as well as a paid lot nearby.

Hennepin Bluffs Park in Minneapolis is on the east bank of the Mississippi River, and is the north…read moreentry point to the Stone Arch bridge, letting one walk across to downtown. It is named after Father Louis Hennepin, who was the first to document the nearby Falls in 1680, and named it St Anthony (after his patron saint). I visited it on a snow covered day in March, entering it once I crossed the bridge from downtown. One can supposedly walk down to the river from here, probably a lot more accessible during non-snow season. Will give it a try the next time I visit.

Excellent park. Great updated splash pad. Big and fun playground. The rink is unique and spacious…read moreto use for both summer skating and ice skating. Nice walking area the pond and neighborhood.

A great spot for a short walk, there are two circles to loop around, one with water and one…read morewithout. There is a playground that pretty big with multiple slides for kids. Overall felt clean and relaxing

The Millennium Garden is situated off to the side of the Plymouth Community Center, and the trails…read morearound it connect over to the Plymouth Creek Playfield as well as the Hilde Amphitheater. I parked in the big lot of the community center and walked over. I brought some dinner along with me so I found a nearby bench to eat at while soaking up the lovely scenery. I was genuinely impressed by all the teaming blooms. It's not a huge garden, but it isn't small either, and it's clearly well maintained. I was grateful to see it looking so nice considering all the heat waves we've been subjected to as of late. I definitely saw some folks using it as a backdrop for their wedding photos. I took a few photos myself too, of course. Too pretty to not! The garden is broken down into smaller individual areas, specifically: the grand lawn, the labyrinth, the rose garden, the butterfly garden, the water garden, the native shrub garden, and the woodland restoration area. I definitely recommend checking it out! If I lived closer by, I'd probably bring a book or my journal regularly.

Great park to take the kids or take a walk. Landscaping is really well done and some fun statues to…read moresee. Lot of wildlife around. Plenty of parking at the community center. It's a bit on the smaller side but a great place for locals to stop by.

Bikeable, walkable park. There are a few run clubs that will run through here. Saw a hand full of…read moreartists painting the trees and lighthouse that really added to the magic of the experience as I stopped had a picnic and enjoyed a charcuterie board.

Great park. Nice and spacious. Historic area next to the Mississippi River. I love looking at the…read morepublic art and taking the walking bridge near De La Salle and to the Hennepin Ave bridge. Fun place to hangout and have parties