BF Nelson Park, 434 NE Main St, Minneapolis, MN, USA55413Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN, USA55413Father Hennepin Bluff Park, 420 Southeast Main Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA55414First Bridge Park, 1 West River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN, USA55401Historic Main Street Park, Southeast Main Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA55414Mill Ruins Park, 102 Portland Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, USA55401Nicollet Island Park, 40 Power St, Minneapolis, MN, USA55401Stone Arch Bridge, 100 Portland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, USA55401Water Power Park, 240 Southeast Main Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA55414
612-230-6400
Hours of Operation:
Mon. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tue. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wed. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thu. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun. 06:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Located on both banks of the Mississippi River between Plymouth Avenue North & the 35W bridges, Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park is one of the top ten tourist attractions in Minnesota. It is actually made up of 11 parks and parkways that stretch from Boom Island Park (where Above the Falls Regional Park ends) to the Stone Arch Bridge.
Tour the Art of the Central Mississippi Riverfront
Take a self-guided Tour of the Public Art through this park system. This would be an ideal tour to do by bicycle as it would be a little far to walk and parking is not always easy to find along these stops. Stops 2 through 6 on the linked tour are in or near this regional park and we’ve included a stop at First Bridge Park, which isn’t on the self-guided tour, but is recommended by MPRB. Many of the creators are active area artists that you can learn more about and maybe plan to visit their galleries at another time.
B.F. Nelson Park’s Pioneer Statue by John K. Daniels – This statue portrays a pioneer family and features Father Louis Hennepin among Native Americans on the front. It has been a subject of recent controversy for its subject matter and could be used as a springboard for discussions of artistic portrayals of Native Americans and the settlement of this area.
First Bridge Park’s Ornamental railings, lighting, other circulation features, landscaping and bronze sculptures of water creatures. This is NOT a stop on the self-guided tour of public art, but is recommended by MPRB.
Historic Main Street’s Tilted Bowl Fountain by Seitu Jones. Stop for a drink of water and honor or be grateful for the Earth, Mississippi River, and Saint Anthony Falls.
Marcy-Holmes Gateway (aka Sixth Avenue Stroll) by Aldo Moroni. Just north of Father Hennepin Bluffs and Historic Main Street there are 24 bronze sculptures on brick pedestals lining 6th Avenue to University Avenue.
Gold Medal Park overlooks the Stone Arch Bridge photo courtesy grkids.com
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