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Loring Park is home to biking and walking paths that wind around the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. This park hosts some good concerts, festivals and the Loring Park Art Festival. It is a very dog-friendly park. I find it a bit inconvenient to get to, especially when driving. It is definitely more convenient to visit by bus or on bike. I’m not certain what makes it stand out. The playground equipment is standard and the pool is old. However, my kids love it. As an adult, I enjoy the nature-in-downtown feel and the proximity to Walker Art Center and a Dunn Brothers Coffee Shop. The pond has a deep drop off, so care is necessary with little ones. However, the playground equipment is far enough away from the pond, that I haven’t had any real reason to worry. The playground was replaced during the late fall of 2021 and includes replacement of all play equipment, a new layout (see image below) and new surface materials made from engineered wood fiber and resilient rubber. Resilient rubber surfacing will be installed in the spring, and then we would expect to see a ribbon cutting ceremony. Learn more at the Loring Park Playground Improvement Page of the MPRB website. Loring’s wading pool opens Memorial Day weekend and closes in late August. Last updated in 2008, the pool is on the older side without any special features, but on a 90-degree day, my kids didn’t care about that and neither did the other kids at the park. Note, the entry gate is located near the restroom facilities — not on the playground side. The Garden of Seasons is made up of three rings. The center ring is called the Woodlands Circle and is a collection of native trees, shrubs and woodland wildflowers. The middle ring — The Wheel of Color — is a rainbow of flowers to represent the diversity of the neighborhood. The outer ring is the Tapestry of Green, adding texture with ground cover such as junipers, Prairie Dropseed Grass and Bearberry. MPRB wants you to use your park facilities to their full potential! Individuals and groups are encouraged to use the centers and park spaces for self-directed activities. There are different permit requirements and special use fees, depending on the use. Loring Park is currently home to the annual Holidazzle festival and Wells Fargo Minneapolis WinterSkate. The skating rink is free and open to the public every day from late November through the end of the winter skating season. A warming house and a limited number of free loaner ice skates will be available between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 pm on weekdays; 9:00 am through 9:00 pm on Saturdays; and 10:00 am through 6:00 pm on Sundays. After a couple years off, we hope to see WinterSkate back in 2022.
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My kids love this park.
Loring Park Playground
Loring Park Wading Pool
The Garden of the Seasons
Birthday Parties at Loring Park
Holidazzle & WinterSkate