The University community is a collection of 6 distinct neighborhoods. Each neighborhood has its own parks and recreation offerings for residents and visitors alike. Whether it be small, neighborhood playgrounds or large, community parklands, the parks within the University community range in amenities and location. The following article will provide an overview of the parks found within the individual neighborhoods of the University community.
The Cedar-Riverside neighborhood is home to two parks. They include:
Currie Park: Currie Park is a small, 2.7 acre athletic park located on the western side of the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. Best known for its synthetic turf soccer field, the park also offers a basketball court, picnic area with grill, playground, restroom facility, softball field, wading pool, and walking paths. Visitors enjoy using the active amenities, sharing a picnic in the park, or simply going for a stroll. Also located within the park is the Coyle Community Center. Established with the help of Pillsbury United Communities, the community center is the home of numerous events throughout the year. This helps to promote an active and engaged neighborhood community.
Murphy Square: Murphy Square is the oldest park in Minneapolis. A patch of natural beauty amidst a busy city, Murphy Square does not offer many amenities, but enchants visitors nonetheless. It’s location is part of what makes it so unique. Murphy Square is located adjacent to Augsburg college and just blocks from the U of M’s west bank. This convenient location makes the park accessible to students at both colleges as well as the neighborhood as a whole. The park is great for a picnic, as it has numerous picnic areas with outdoor grills.
The Como neighborhood is home to one park:
Van Cleave Park: Van Cleave Park is the only park located within the Como neighborhood. At just under 9 acres, the park is full of activity. Visitors enjoy the baseball field, basketball court, ice skating/hockey/broomball rink, gardens, picnic area, playground, restrooms, soccer field, softball fields, tennis courts, and wading pool. Van Cleave Park is located east of Dinkytown and north of the University of Minnesota, making it accessible to a significant number of individuals.
The Marcy-Holmes neighborhood is home to three unique parks. They include:
Holmes Park: Holmes Park is a 4.36 park located in the western end of the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood. The park includes a basketball court, picnic area, playground, restroom facility, tennis courts, a volleyball court, and a wading pool. Due to its location in one of the oldest neighborhoods within the city, Holmes Park is heavily utilized by the community for events or community gatherings.
Father Hennepin Bluff Park: Father Hennepin Bluff Park is one of the more unique parks in the city of Minneapolis. While offering very few amenities, the park is one of the best locations within the city for views of the Minneapolis skyline, Mississippi Gorge, and Stone Arch Bridge. Numerous walking and biking paths as well as bridges connect visitors with the scenic beauty of the area. The park’s location along the Mississippi River makes it a great location for an escape from the busy city. Father Hennepin Bluff Park offers visitors picnic areas with grills for an afternoon grill-out or meal with a loved one. Additionally, a bandstand located within the park adds community appeal by housing free concerts and other neighborhood events.
Historic Main Street Park: The Historic Main Street Park is a location of charm and beauty within the city of Minneapolis. While it is simply a stretch of biking and walking paths as well as picnic areas, visitors to Main Street Park enjoy the historic nature of Main Street and its rustic appeal. With rehabilitated commercial buildings, wooded green spaces, and a fabulous view of the Mississippi River, Historic Main Street Park is a wonderful destination to visit.
The Nicollet Island/East Bank neighborhood is home to three parks:
Chute Square: Chute Square is a 1.1 acre patch of green space within the heart of the city. While small, the park offers walking paths and several trees for shade. Additionally, the square is home to the historic Ard Godfrey house, the oldest wood frame house found in the Twin Cities. A peaceful location, visitors of all ages will appreciate the historical significance and rustic charm found within the park.
Historic Main Street Park: (See Above)
Nicollet Island Park: At nearly 27 acres, Nicollet Island Park is the largest park within the Nicollet Island/East Bank neighborhood. The park is an active community location, with many events and concerts taking place in its amphitheater. Visitors can enjoy walking or biking along the numerous paths or having a picnic in the park’s picnic area. The park’s promenade offers scenic views of the first dam on the Mississippi built in 1858. A final feature of the park is its sculpture from Minneapolis’ sister city of Ibaraki, Japan. Based on a 2,000 year-old terracotta mold for an ancient bronze bell, this sculpture adds a unique flair to the park.
The Prospect Park neighborhood is home to three parks. They include:
Tower Hill Park: At 4.5 acres, Tower Hill Park is a famous location within Minnesota. It is home to the historical Witch’s Hat water tower. A water tower built in 1914, Witch’s Hat water tower served the area until 1952. It was capable of holding 150,000 gallons of water. Constructed on one of the highest points in the city, the water tower is known for its signature sloped, green tile roof and octagonal observation deck. Once a year visitors are allowed to climb to the top of the tower and look out on its observation deck on the city of Minneapolis. The views are spectacular! The Witch’s Hat water tower is on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to be a landmark within Minneapolis.
Chergosky Park: Chergosky Park is a micro park tucked away in the Prospect Park neighborhood. While only containing a playground and picnic area, the park is a great location for younger families looking to escape the busy atmosphere of the city.
Luxton Park: Luxton Park is the home of outdoor recreation within the Prospect Park neighborhood. At 4.5 acres the park has plenty of activity to offer to its visitors. Visitors enjoy the basketball court, gardens, picnic area with grill, playground, restroom facility, soccer field, softball field, wading pool, and walking paths found within the park. Additionally, visitors can make use of the Luxton Recreation Center. With its large gymnasium as well as its craft room, computer lab, community kitchen, meeting room, and multipurpose room, the recreation center adds great communal value to Luxton Park. As a whole, Luxton Park is an integral location within the Prospect Park neighborhood and plays a large role in shaping community events and recreational activities.
If you have any questions regarding the city of Minneapolis, the University community, or if you would like to sell or buy a house in the area, please feel free to give Twin Cities Property Finder, a call at 1-800-909-1953.
