A nice park and beach but a very busy place! At least they have a pretty big parking lot…read more They have a small area of sand near the shoreline but the majority of the "sitting" area is grass. They have little pockets away from the actual beach that you can chill in with your dog or launch off with your kayak/padddleboard but again it's a busy place so sometimes people are using those areas. We went on a Wednesday and the garbage was still full to the top from the weekend so it was a little dirty in the area.

Ya know, look at the one star reviews of this place. In one, someone is complaining about fish in…read morethe water . It's definitely worth a read. Here's what I like about the place: - The beach is small but nice. - Picnic tables and benches along the water where people are hanging out. - A boat launch with info on keeping aquatic hitchhikers off your boat. - A fishing pier north of the beach for those who want to fish. - Open areas south of the beach where to let your dogs swim. - A playground for the kids. - Bathrooms in a legit building open during the summer months. Honestly, the lake is clean and a slow slope into deeper water so you can cool off in. What more do you want?

I am transplant from the other side of the river and absolutely love living in this neighborhood…read more Obviously the perks of this park requires a list so here goes: - The old water tower gets opened up during Highland Fest and in the fall for the fall colors. Once you climb the many stairs, you are treated to an amazing open air view of the surrounding area. The planes at the airport look like toys landing and taking off and all the colors just pop if you time it right. When open, it is only on the weekends. - Two golf courses. On the 18 hole, the 15th hole has a sand trap done up like Snoopy (zoom in on link) in honor of Charles Schulz once being a caddy. The 9 hole across the street is much hillier and is that way because a lot of it is the dirt from the construction of I-94 back in the 60's linking the two cities. http://goo.gl/maps/ZnXbz - Cross country skiing. Both course become x-country ski havens in the winter with even one of the courses having trails groomed. There is also a sliding hill by the water tower which gets packed after a fresh snowfall. - The Pavilion (and many other shelters) can be rented for picnics. Many a fine Booyah's, a fine upper midwestern treat that you need to have once in your life, are served here by neighborhood groups doing fund raisers. Bring a tupperware container to bring some home if you'd like. People will be there with empty ice cream bucket containers for the good ones. - The swimming pool. St. Paul has a few pools now that utilize sphagnum moss as a major cleaning process. Amazing water and you don't come out smelling like a chlorine factory with your hair turning a different color or your eyes burnt red. It's fantastic. - Frisbee course. While I don't understand the layout, many people do and it is always getting used. - Just walk around in the park or on the paths. Towering oaks, deer, fox, willow trees, hills and hidden stairs. This is really an old park and a gem in the city. Even the playground equipment has been updated in the last few years.

The pool facilities are excellent at the Highland Park Aquatic Center, and lots of updates since I…read moreenjoyed swimming here as a kid have really made this a very entertaining destination for kids of all ages and adults too, but the way it's run leaves a lot to be desired unfortunately. There was plenty of free parking and lots of shade available on the pool deck, but during the 4+ hours we spent there (2 adults, 3 kids under age 10) I didn't see one adult worker anywhere-just lots of teen life guards and workers. Also, the pool and deck rules are very unclear, sparsely posted and inconsistently enforced, so we found ourselves breaking all kinds of secret, nonsensical rules only the lifeguards seemed to know about (and we definitely weren't alone). Then, when asked to clarify how what we were doing was wrong, we could never get a clear answer and the lifeguards were often rude and dismissive. We were also given contradictory information from 3 different lifeguards about the same rule! We figured things out for ourselves quick enough and learned which lifeguards really could be consistent, so in the end we had a really good time, just be aware when you go that it's on you to figure it all out, not many of the staff will be helpful (even in matters of safety) at all. Lastly, the admission cost is a little steep ($6 per adult, $5 per kid under 48" tall), and even though they give a little break to families, it's not like you're getting all that much bang for your buck. Also be aware that no outside food or drinks are technically allowed--which I understand to a point, but this is also not listed online or posted officially anywhere on site which is annoying and inconvenient, especially since the concessions are mainly very overpriced junk food. So it would be nice if they offered some healthy alternatives like fruits and veggies rather than more processed, packaged, sugary junk for sale. If that's not possible then just let us bring at least those things with us? With little kids it's not easy to drag them out of the pool, back to the car for a healthy snack--which we ultimately did only to be harassed exiting AND re-entering by the overly enthusiastic little "teen bouncer" at the front gate even though re-admission is permitted as long as you're wearing your wristband. Like I said earlier though; ALL the rules at this facility and how they're communicated and enforced are very inconsistent to say the least! We resolved that if we return we'll just smuggle our own snacks in since they that's what we observed most people doing anyways! The bottom line: you can have a great time in the pool and the facilities have a lot to offer people of all ages if you take some of these tips to heart, learn how to work the ill-managed "system" of rules and their teen army of enforcers, advocate (and think) for yourself a little, and just basically ignore the incredible inconsistency that truly rules here!

I play volleyball here occasionally, and it's one of the most beautiful parks in the Twin Cities…read more It has well kept sand volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts. There's also a decent beach located on the lake. There's a ton of parking. Overall this park just has great vibes going on.

Okay, maybe I'm biased because my husband and I had our wedding at the barn at Lake Riley but... I…read morelove this park! Plenty of amenities such as trails, a picnic area, a basketball court, a tennis court, a big playground, grills, etc. The beach is really nice, and there is a lifeguard present. You can drink in the picnic area (not the beach). Makes for a nice afternoon.

Love walking around this lake. Cool beach fronts and nice open fields with playgrounds.read more

Lovely little sandy beach with lifeguards, bouyed water boundaries, and semi-private shower and…read morechanging areas. Closest to a California beach experience I've found in the Twin Cities thus far.

Minneapolis has the best parks! This nice park is along the Webber Bike Parkway, off the Grand…read moreRounds Trail, i.e. good biking! We biked here so we could swim at the Webber Natural Swimming Pool, only to find it closed last week on Labor Day. We were disappointed at the closing but we still enjoyed the bike ride to & from the park! Stopped at the Camden Sculpture Garden (just a short bike jaunt), another fun find!

Webber Parkway built in 1910 has about 19.88 acres of land, with a great pond that is connected to…read moreShingle Creek on one end and the Mighty Mississippi River on the other. It offers a variety of recreational sports, full Basketball & Tennis courts, Soccer and Softball fields and a Hockey rink. Shallow pool and a small majestic library (Webber Library) that was built in 1927. If none of this excites you, It's a beautiful park to picnic, hike or just throw a blanket down under a tree during summer breezes and read a book. The Legislature last July approved a $4 million project to renovate the park. A new pool is scheduled to open this summer, where no chlorine or any other chemicals will be used. Sort of a pool-lake like, creating that lake experience. The first of it's kind in the state. It is not the Canadian Rockies or the majestic plains of the Serengeti - It is a park in North Mpls, a historical park and it is breathtaking during the summer.

White Sand Beach is a true hidden gem of a beach in the cities, especially for those who like to…read moresit back and take in the beauty of the Mississippi River that flows by the beach + nice hiking/walking trail before you find yourself at the beach and enjoying the spectacular views and soft natural sandstone sand! Bear in mind there is quite a few old firewood chips scattered all over the beach. A little annoying how they are scattered everywhere, but luckily it's not a huge issue, but just don't be surprised or disappointed when go. Seems like it's a popular spot for locals to host intimate bonfires, which I love this spot for a fun summer night bonfire with friends. Just make sure to "Leave No Trace" practice by cleaning up all bonfires and throwing away left over trash. Love that there's a few trash bins down by the beach! Overall great place to check out!!

I really love Bunker Beach, but it's not for everyone…read more Yep, it's $$$. I think it's worth it. You probably have to arrive at opening to get a chair. We just put our towels on the ground. No big deal. Don't go to the bathroom barefoot. We all know this, but just a reminder. The wave pool is FOR REAL. I saw it stopped multiple times to help kids out, and I took quite a big of water up the nose. I still love it. Lazy River = A+++ Plenty of little kid stuff too, just make sure you have the right ratio of little kid to older kid/adult buddies The food is actually pretty good, but everybody bring in food. Just be clean, ok?

This place is great! We took our 3 year old with plenty to do. There are multiple splash pads and…read morelow level water ideas. The wave pool was a major hit. It is kept clean for how many people there are. Big parking lot. Lots of chairs and shaded areas. No outside food or drink except water, but There is a food stand. There is a lactation room as well which is really beneficial. You do have the pay for parking which is $7. They are also cashless.

Extensive Ramsey County Park, full of wonderful outdoor opportunities! A true gem, if you're…read morelooking for something on the nature-side. It is a FREE park: free parking lots, boat launch, picnic tables, picnic shelters, playgrounds, a nice beach (that is closed now due to Covid-19 Virus..as well as the public bathrooms & changing building). Nice (but bumpy at times) asphalt trails for hiking and biking! Bring your picnic lunch and explore Tony Schmidt Regional Park!

Park is really nice. Parking was very close by. Bathroom was very close by also. Sign in the…read morebathroom said it's clean once daily. Playground are also close by. Their all close by each other that you can be in one spot to supervise kids at the beach and playground at the same time. Literally like 100 feet of each other. The sand and water are clean. It's a lake so it does shave the fishy smells.