Twin Cities Business Listing

June 8, 2023 12:50 am
By Joy Peters
Dred Scott Playfield Directory
10820 Bloomington Ferry Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
Parks and Recreation: 952-563-8877; parksrec@BloomingtonMN.gov
Scroll down for a Registration Link
Bloomington Parks are open half-hour before sunrise until 10 p.m. unless posted otherwise.

Dred Scott Playfield is a nearly 50-acre play lot in Bloomington. While its main focus is sports, the park also has a playground and space to picnic. Tall pines provide wind breaks and barriers between the various sports areas. A privately-owned mini golf course and batting cages operate seasonally at this park. Off-street parking and and seasonal restrooms are available.

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8 Ideas for Family Fun at Dred Scott Playfield

  1. Practice batting. Inexpensive batting cages are open April through October and provide a variety of speeds for all levels.
  2. Play a round of mini golf.
  3. Pack a Picnic.
  4. Play on the playground. The playground is compact, but sturdy and full of active play equipment, like climbing nets, slides and monkey bars.
  5. Bring a playground ball to play kickball, dodgeball, volleyball or other fun games on open ballfields. On busy days, the sports fields may be in use by organized teams, but when they are open, families can play games together.
  6. Try Pickleball or Tennis. The courts have recently been resurfaced and have lights that can be turned on by players after dark.
  7. Play a Game of HORSE. The asphalt surfacing of the basketball court was refurbished in spring of 2023.
  8. Learn U.S. & Minnesota History. Take some time to find the four Dred and Harriet Scott Interpretive signs installed at the park.

Overhead view of playground at Dred Scott Field in Bloomington, MN
Image used with permission. Photo courtesy of Landscape Structures Inc.

The Playground at Dred Scott Field

The small, but energetic playground was built by locally-owned playground designers, Landscape Structures. Owner, Steve King developed the playground design concept known as “continuous play,” in which all of the play equipment connects allowing kids to move from one piece to the next without touching the ground. While we see this style of playground everywhere now, it was an innovative idea in the 1960s and 70s. The company has continued to study how children play and incorporate these findings into their designs. This playground features climbing equipment, tightrope-style balance features, nets, slides and monkey bars.

Clutch Hitters Batting Cages

Batting cages managed by Clutch Hitters are open afternoons from April through early October. Choose from multiple speeds for both baseball and softball (ranging from 45 and 80 mph). Clutch Hitters also offers clinics and hitting instruction. Price: $1.25/round.

Summer Hours begin April 14, 2023:

    • Weekdays: 4pm-8:30pm
    • Weekends/Memorial Day & Labor Day: 11am-7pm
    • Closed: July 4th

Fall Hours begin August 29, 2023:

    • Monday – Friday 4pm-8pm
    • Saturday 12pm-6pm
    • Sunday 12pm-4pm

The Links at Dred Scott

The Links at Dred Scott is a large, 18-hole mini golf course located within the park. opens at 3 p.m. This 18-hole, par 48 course is 25% larger than other courses and features practice putting greens, fabulous waterfalls, and nine water hazard

Spring/Fall Hours:

Spring hours run April 15-May 31, 2023. Fall hours are September 5-30, 2023.

    • Weekdays: 3pm-9pm
    • Weekends: 10am-9pm
    • Last Tee 8pm.

Summer Hours:

Summer hours are June 1-September 4, 2023.

    • Daily 10am-9pm.
    • Last Tee 8pm.

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