The park feature lots of trees with ample canopy. I was impressed with how shaded the park was…read more If you come on a sunny day, you will not have to worry about the refulgent rays of sunlight beaming you on your forehead. There are also several benches you can sit and eat your meal.

Great fun park for all ages. It has a fence around it minus the entrance. Handicap accessible. I…read morelove this park! See the pictures.

This lovely park has extensive walking/jogging trails through the lake, marsh and woodlands, plus…read morehigh quality children's play areas, a full water park ( closed for the winter in late August), tennis and pickleball, and fishing docks. I enjoyed an early morning walk along the lake front and marshland with nice late summer flowers and great bird watching.

It was a cute park, more run down than the other parks we visited in the area. It does have a lot…read moreto do and is safe for toddlers and bigger kids!

This place is AWESOME! I decided to get my boys (9,5) out of the house and they had a blast! They…read morehave already been asking when we can go back! There is free parking. Walk in and pay the fee for the kiddos. As of Jan 2026 it was $10 a kid with unlimited time. Parents/guardians are free. There is a large park towards the end of the building! It kept my kiddos plenty busy! There is seating for the adults. There is also a gym space for kids to run, balls to play with, mini basketball hoops and items for the little kids to push ride on! There is also a pool to do laps and a gym with equipment, but I'm unsure if those cost extra. You can do birthday parties here! Check the website for additional information!! They do have 2 spots where you can get snacks and picnic tables to eat! Overall this was a very solid experience and we will happily be back!

Perfect indoor park for toddlers during the long winter months but can be super busy.read more

I have such a nice time at this park. I go here to study. To relax. To take in the scenery…read more It is a bit crowded but that's because it's such a nice environment. I enjoy finding quiet nooks at the park

Urban Oasis for a Peaceful Stroll! Centennial Lakes is a…read moregreat outing, earning five stars from me. I wanted a nice place to stretch my legs, and this park was just right. The paved paths make for an easy and accessible walk, suitable for a quick escape or a leisurely stroll. What really stood out to me was how quiet it felt. Even with buildings in the background, the park feels remarkably peaceful. The gentle sound of water, the rustling of leaves, and the overall calm let you forget you're in a busy area. It's a fantastic bubble of serenity. The scenery mixes urban sophistication with natural beauty. Modern buildings create a sleek backdrop for the beautifully designed waterways and landscaped grounds. Even without full bloom, you can see a real commitment to diverse plants here. I can't wait for a return visit in the spring! I can only imagine how bright and colorful it gets when everything is in full bloom. If you want a peaceful place to clear your mind, enjoy some fresh air, and take a nice walk, Centennial Lakes is a must-visit. Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour, it's the perfect spot. I left feeling refreshed and energized. I can't wait to see it come to life in the spring!

The bike park was a fun place to take my nephews. The bike park works for a variety of ages and…read morethere is also a nice playground.

This is a reasonably large park, noticeably better the Bossein Field. Within walking distance of…read morethe highway.

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

After yesterday's paddle, I gotta say this place is bliss…read more I'd kind of scoped it out a few days prior just by taking a hike around the entirety of the lake to see what all it had to offer besides hiking and biking. I'd parked over by the larger beach (Nokomis Main Beach) on the west side (there's a smaller one on the east side), utilizing the free parallel parking which was available since it wasn't yet a busy afternoon rather than the pay lot. The large beach is quite nice, with some play equipment for the kiddos, a decent restroom facility, even a eatery/ice cream place. Seasonally, there's also a rental place for kayaks/canoes/swan boats if you don't have your own. There's another parking lot on the north end which is nearby a dock that's great for putting in your own kayak/canoe. This is also where you'll find the nearby Community Center with lots more play equipment and tennis courts outside, as well as gyms and rooms inside (open in the afternoons/evenings). It looks to me that the community center offers a lot of classes/activities for kids throughout the year that you can sign up for. I took a quick detour inside and admired their small common area with little library, fish tank, art, etc. Walking around the entirety of the lake will also take you over the car bridge, which offers some nice views. Just north of that bridge is also where the fancier boats are anchored. When I came back the second time with my inflatable kayak, I was able to easily get out onto the water and enjoy my time. Lovely warm September day meant lovely warm lake water, and I paddled the length of it and back, stopping frequently to just lay back and vibe. I especially enjoyed relaxing at the southern end of the lake where the planes fly directly over on their descent into MSP airport. So cool to marvel at!

Loved this park! Nicely nestled away in between a small neighborhood…read more Parking can be tricky but it's worth it. Very clean and lots of inner trails that offer a unique scenery. Watching the ducks was a very healing experience coupled with the great weather!

Arden Park is a nice neighborhood park. There is a creek meandering through it. There is a…read moreplayground and hockey rink for the winter. There is no parking lot for Arden Park but there is plenty of free street parking in the neighborhood surrounding.

This playground has been great for my child for several years now. It's got a section for the extra…read morelittles and space for the bigger kids. For me it's got something I always want on a hot day at the park with my kids, shade! Probably not worth a trip if you don't live in the area but if you do this is the spot.

This is probably my go to playground for shade when it's super sunny and not humid but not for the…read morebugs! This park has something for all different age groups (from 6 months or until they can sit up on their own to adults) and levels. My two little girls loves climbing on the rock and doing the rope gliding. The park has wood chips and rubber ground for shock absorption. Wood chips can be good and bad compare to sand. There's more likelihood of splinters and poking if fallen wrong. The park is separated into three different sections which is nice because if the kids are bored then they could do something else that is a little more challenging at the next age group level. There are the usual slides, swings for big kids and infants/toddlers. A music making area. There are lots of mature trees and so when it sprinkles, you could stand under the tree and not get wet. There's not a parking lot and you'll find parking on Edgewater Blvd on the street or on 54th Ave. We love biking to here from our house when the weather permits because it's only a mile away and it has a nice biking path and bike racks with a drinking fountain. People have birthday parties here and lots of school groups come here for some play time as well. The park have just added a picnic shelter area with three picnic tables which is nice for small gatherings or be out of the sun. They also have picnic tables throughout the park for easy access with the little ones to have lunch or snack. They also have a metal donut bench in the center that parents could easily scan the area quickly to find their "run away" child. Overall, it's a very popular park during lunch time and dinner time. It's best to set ground rules with your kiddos before letting them loose to prevent any unnecessary tantrums or melt downs.

A rather small park with some water and green space in Bloomington. There is a boat launch, a…read moregazebo and picnic tables. Some sites mention walking to enjoy nature but there are no walking trails, just some grassy land with little shade. C'mon guys why so much crew cut grass when there could be more lofty trees? There should be no problem parking even on a nice picnic day.

From the owner: Penn Lake Park allows fishing and features free, off-street parking and picnic areas. All…read moreBloomington parks open at sunrise and close at 10 p.m. daily.