Description

Loring Park, on the southwest corner of downtown Minneapolis, is the largest park in the Central Community of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It also lends its name to the surrounding neighborhood. Loring Park hosts several annual events including the Twin Cities Pride Festival and the Loring Park Artists' Festival.Park featuresThe park contains a small lake and paths for walking and biking. Originally named Central Park, it was renamed in honor of Charles M. Loring, known as the "Father of Minneapolis Parks."The park is the site of various cultural, social and political events. It features a playground, biking and walking paths, public art, and a fishing pier. It displays two well-known pieces of public art: the "Dandelion Fountain," a 1975 gift of Parks Commissioner Ben Berger, and a statue of Norwegian composer Ole Bull.HistoryLoring Park was established in 1883 after the passage of the Park Act, the act which first created the Minneapolis Public Parks board. At its time of creation in 1883, the park was named Central Park. A couple of months after it was renamed to Spring Grove Park, but was subsequently renamed back to Central Park in 1883. In 1890 the park was renamed again in honor of Charles Morgridge Loring, who was the first president of the park board in Minneapolis.Loring Park was purchased by the Minnesota Public Parks board on April 28, 1883. The land was purchased for $150,000 and contained 30 acres of land. A few more pieces of land were added to the park for a total cost of $350,000. This was the first plot of land that was purchased by the Minnesota Public Parks board. Shortly after purchasing the land, the Minneapolis Public Parks board hired George Brakett and Horace Cleveland to design the park and to drain the bog in the lake. They used plants that were brought in from nearby woods to complete the design for the park. They also decided at this time to make the park pedestrian only.

Reviews for Loring Park

Kev H.

Loring park gives a little bit of everything to everybody. Short paved trails strewn throughout the park? Yes. Basketball courts? Yes, one half court I... Read more

Kareem I.

Such a peaceful park to walk through or just spend time enjoying the weather! Lots of fun events throughout the year as well. I always try to walk through... Read more

Keith F.

Beautiful park on southern edge of downtown Minneapolis. Across the pedestrian bridge from Walker Art Museum (modern art) and across street from the... Read more