I was looking for some new playgrounds in the area for my little guys to blow off some energy and I…read morehit the jackpot with this park!! This park has plenty of parking lot and street parking! There is a ton of field space to picnic or kick a soccer ball around! The playground is HUGE and has multiple areas! It would be extremely had to be "bored" here! There are picnic tables, lots of chairs and benches around. The playground does have concrete but most areas are rubber or turf grass (yay no messy sand or pebbles stuck in shoes!) The other nice part about this park is that it felt very inclusive! Lots are areas in this part for all ages, sizes and abilities! There is also a skate park! It can get very busy, so coming in the morning or later in the evening will give you the best chance at parking, watching your kids closely and getting to play on all of the equipment!

Great parks, grounds and community center! Tons of lovely options for kids and adults. Plus the…read morefarmers market is top notch.

I was in the area (for a Yelp Elite experience, actually lol) but it was a gorgeous day outside…read more(aka, forties in February) so I wanted to make sure I soaked up some of the sunshine in the afternoon. Peeking at this place on Google maps it didn't look like much, but I gave it a shot; I'm quite glad I did! Part of why I'd been unsure was because it does have a relatively small footprint of the landscape (it doesn't even encompass the entire lake, as many houses have backyards around more than half the shore... boo). But, they made up for it with a really nice visitor center and art installations! Honestly, I'd say this place wouldn't be half as good without the outdoor art walk; I really enjoyed discovering all the unique and fun sculptures along the path. It meant I got a much more engaged and lengthy experience; I don't know if their longest path was much more than a mile's distance, but because of the sculptures I kept venturing off the paved path to check them out up close (and take photos and selfies with each)! It was fun. There seemed to be two parking lots. The one near the visitor center was pretty large and seemed to be necessary; there were quite a lot of visitors there when I was, plus a school bus! Most of the visitors seemed to be there to enjoy some skating around out on the frozen lake, but others were walking the trail. Inside the visitor center were bathrooms, including a family restroom, water fountains, including a water bottle refill station, cute little trinkets to buy, a cafe with beverages and bakery snacks, a cozy seating area, lots of rooms for community events, a board advertising said community events for the next couple months, and an art exhibit. I was grateful for the easy access to bathrooms and water! Just outside the visitor center was one of the most adorable little free libraries I've ever seen, nestled inside a mushroom-like sculpture! All in all, definitely worth checking out. Unless you lived nearby, you probably wouldn't go too repeatedly (I think the indoor art exhibit changes seasonally, but the outdoor one has been installed awhile... one of the plaques read 2018), but it's great for a one-off or occasional visit!

A really fun park with a lot of great art to see while you walk around it. The QR codes give a lot…read moreof additional information to listen to as well. Lots of trees, walking paths and a beautiful lake make this a great place to enjoy nature and art.

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

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."

What an incredibly awesome spot, courtesy of the City of Fridley. I was there on a rainy day, so I…read morechecked out the Nature Center itself first. The facilities are honestly quite impeccable. They had a variety of fun exhibits, including a play structure, a comfy spot by the fireplace to read nature books to your kids (or to yourself), building "blocks" (wood pieces), a puppet theatre with plushies, two microscopes with big flat screen TVs to see nature things up close, a bird watching station (with info on how to identify birds), some taxidermy critters, even tanks containing live turtles, snakes, and frogs! Caring for live animals is a task in itself, so I'm impressed they have them here. A couple of the smaller exhibits seemed broken (the one with all the colored lights and the one with the crank for the lightbulbs), but I imagine kids playing with these all day takes its toll. Still, it was super fun! Also inside the building are bathrooms: men's, women's, and family. These were clean and spacious, and even had environmental info in them to read! There was a water fountain and water bottle refill station. Vending machines with beverages and snacks. And pamphlets about upcoming goings-on at the center. Apparently you can also "rent an activity backpack" from the front desk full of fun stuff to inspire exploration along the trails. Outside there is a big picnic shelter with lots of picnic tables underneath it. It also has an inside portion. You can be there and enjoy it whenever, or reserve it for things like birthday parties. Behind that is the Nature Play Area, which is a large playground with nature-themed elements. The climbing structure here was an impressive length, but in particular I liked the giant beaver! I didn't play on any of the equipment just because it was pretty slippery from all the rain. I did however hike all the trails! Yep, all of 'em. The full length of all the trails combined is three miles. I did the outer loop first, then spiraled inward to see the rest, including the two observation points (one has a cool gazebo overlooking the lake!). These'll take you through the woods and over marshland via boardwalk! Lots of picturesque bridges over creeks. So many photo opportunities! I also saw a lot of wildlife: squirrels, frogs, birds. You might also get to see a train rumble by to the west. There is ample signage along all the trail junctions so you never have to worry about getting turned around. Additionally there is an amphitheater and a meditation garden. Unfortunately when I went up to the latter, there was some guy hiding there smoking pot... it reeked! I informed a staff member (because the posted rules DO say no smoking), and he was responsive about the issue. I feel a little bad about tattling, but at the same time, dude, you're ruining other peoples' experiences of the great outdoors! Parking lot seems to be a decent size. I could see it filling up on a day where they have a popular event going on though. I'm definitely considering coming back with a friend for their upcoming Pumpkin Carving days! I'd love to visit again for another hike once more of the trees begin changing color.

Lovely nature center inside the metro! I didn't have a chance this time to go into the visitor…read morecenter but the walking paths in the woods are very nice and secluded. There's some nice ponds throughout the woods that has swans geese and other birds. Theres also a playground near the visitor center. Great place to take your family or little ones for a walk in nature.

Wooded ravine park sheltering the Rice Creek meandering through it. Between Highway 65 and…read moreUniversity Avenue, this park has the Rice Creek Regional Trail run through it. Multiple parking lots, picnic pavilions, four footbridges across the creek, many unmarked non-asphalted hiking trails. There are 2 playground areas, and an off-leash dog park. Come and explore the park when you're in the area!

This is an OK dog park. It's big, wood chips everywhere. Trees for shade, seems to be well…read moreattended. With one glaring problem. There are no trash bins inside the fence?!?!?!?!?! Did the people who planned this place not realize that dogs poop? I tend to give humanity the benefit of the doubt and believe most people want to pick up their dog poop, but to have to physically leave the park with your bag (which freaks my dog out to no end) throw it in the dumpster and then come back in? Really? There was so much poop in the park I spent the whole time looking at my feet trying not to step in anything, so I didn't talk to anyone and can't comment on the cliental. Throw us a bone with ONE TRASH CAN PLEASE!

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 is a decent park overall…read more We like to walk here because the path is fully paved and it goes most of the way around the lake (Highland Lake). To get around the whole lake, you'll need to exit and walk on neighborhood roads in the same rotation that you've been moving and re-enter the park when you come across it again. I kind of wish that it went around the whole lake, but then again, I'm not a fan of eminent domain and steamrolling things. So I'll take it as is. There are newer benches throughout, plus a pavilion, plus grills and a small playground. Geese and ducks love the lake and rarely come on land, so hopefully no goose attacks are in your future. I cannot guarantee that, however. The parking lot is big, unless there are a lot of people there. Then it's not big enough. ;-) As I always say, "Better a Kordiak than a cardiac!" (Actually, I've never said that. Um, never mind!) Though it is good to get out and walk, I will say. (I do actually say that.) That's my 23 cents on this dealio.

Surprisingly peaceful, good short trails to walk, a nice "waterfall", and lots of lily pads in the…read moresummer!

Windom Park NE is my Northeast Go To Park for when I want to play Pickleball…read more The park has 2 Tennis Courts with Pickleball Lines, a Basketball Court, a big field usually used for soccer, since nice walking trails as well as a big building that I once played an indoor volleyball league at. The park is typically not that crowded and parking is super easy on the street along it. The pickleball / tennis courts are in a little rough shape, but I am no professional so I appreciate that it usually means the courts are empty.

Open 10-7 with a bath house to change at. No life guard. Next to a small playground. Perfect for…read moreyounger children, 2!0"-6 grounds for 2-12 and 5-12. 8 yr old had a blast here. .

I'm really happy this park has been updated to such a lovely and unique park. I love the the…read morenatural material and wood playground. The new visitor center is very nice and cute.

Loved our weekend trip to this park! When we arrived, the parking lot was very busy and there were…read morevery few spots left, even though it's a pretty sizeable lot for a park. We quickly learned this was because there was a special event going on (the Sankofa celebration) inside the center, with vendor tables and a couple of food trucks and even some crafting activities. So we got to experience that on top of the rest of the park's great amenities! The center is sleek and modern inside. LOTS of toilets (single occupant, all-gender), lots of coat hangars, multiple water bottle refill stations. The ground level has some cool reptile/amphibians behind glass you can ogle, as well as interactive informational displays (great for kids and adults, imo). Downstairs they have the rental booth for gear and educational rooms (they had a falcon demo in one while we were there!). Beside the center is an awesome multilevel playground, very fun. As well as a splash pad (for non-winter months) and an elevated boardwalk. The most nearby attraction is obviously the dam, which has an impressive spillway that's mesmerizing to watch. You can even walk across it to go over the river to the park on the other side. Apparently this spot is popular with fishers (though I don't have much knowledge on that subject). There are also trails that can be explored. Paved routes good for all recreational uses, as well as further out hiking paths that are just dirt. It'd be great to come back out again sometime and explore more. Across the street it seemed there was even archery!

We brought our children there and we all had a great time. Very clean, calm atmosphere, fenced in…read moreplayground, lots of different activities for children to play with and many different kinds of activities for them to be creative during play activity.

New park in the Lexington Woods Addition off of Lexington Avenue in Blaine. The parking lot (off…read more131st Ave) is complete-including painting. This playground can boast the new Quantas 8.2 playground equipment-which the kids like. Adaptive equipment, lots of benches, shaded areas, parking lot/bike rack, as well as a porta-potty.