Discover a new outdoor play space! We can help you find some of the best playgrounds Minneapolis, St. Paul and greater Minnesota. Looking for specifics like a playground, swimming spot or bike trail? Want to find the perfect place to a pitch a tent or your city’s best sledding hill? Search by all of these amenities and more in our Twin Cities Parks & Playgrounds Search by selecting a category from the drop down menu or typing in the keyword of your choice in the search box. You can even enter an address and select a radius to search by city or region of the Metro.
Plus, find park hours, fees, directions, pictures and other extras.
Hyland Lake Park, Bloomington
Hyland Lake Park Reserve is part of the larger Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve, managed cooperatively between the City of Bloomington and the Three Rivers Park District. Richardson Nature Center is also found at Hyland Lake.
Chutes and Ladders Playground at Hyland Lake Park Reserve - Closed July 15th for the Remainder of 2019.
Hyland Play Area is unofficially known as "Chutes and Ladders Park". Anne has written more about it in her article, 10 Things for Kids: Richardson Nature Center & Hyland Lake Park. Three Rivers has announced that Hyland Play Area is closed for construction for the remainder of the 2019 season, but it should reopen in the Spring of 2020. Learn more about the project.
Disc Golf at Hyland Lake Park Reserve
The park offers a small 3-hole disc golf practice area near the Hyland Visitor Center. The practice area is free to use and does not require a pass.
Birthday Parties at Hyland Lake Park Reserve
During the warmer months of May through September, families can schedule Creative Play Parties in 2.5-hour blocks. They $80.00 fee includes use of the Hyland Play Area and 2 picnic tables for up to 24 guests. Parties can be scheduled on weekends from 9:30 a.m. to noon, 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or on weekdays after 3:00 p.m. This is a DIY party. Brink your own refreshments and party accessories. Piñatas and grills not allowed. Reusable blue table cloths and onsite composting and recycle bins are available. Call 763-694-7687 to book a time or for more details.
Trumpeter Swans at Hyland Lake Park Reserve
The Three River’s Park District’s Trumpeter Swan Reintroduction Project began in 1966 with the Trumpeter Swan Society lending their support beginning in 1968. While Minnesota now boasts over 12,000 swans, before the program began with a single pair, there had been no Trumpeter Swans in the area for generations. Now these birds build nests in Hyland as well as other local parks. When visiting, the park district asks guests to respect the swans and their environment by following park rules, only using designated trails, and avoiding close contact or feeding of these wild birds.
Articles Related to Hyland Lake Park Reserve
- 10 Things for Kids: Richardson Nature Center & Hyland Lake Park
- Summertime Together: Hyland Lake Park Reserve Play Area
- 10 Twin Cities Beaches & Playgrounds to Try This Summer
- FFTC Summer Bucket List: 101 Things For Your Family This Summer
For more outdoor play ideas:
- 10 of the Best Twin Cities Playgrounds
- 20 Twin Cities Beaches, Parks & Playgrounds to Try This Summer
- Nature Playgrounds in the Twin Cities - Get Back to Green
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The Family Fun Twin Cities Parks & Playgrounds Search directory is your one stop for the best Twin Cities Park Guide! We share some of the best playgrounds in the Twin Cities in this directory. We are so passionate about how awesome are parks are, that we don't want you to stop with 10 parks or even 150 parks! There are so many parks in the metro area, you could visit a new one every day for some free Twin Cities family fun and still not have seen them all in 5 years.
We've currently reviewed over 400 parks in this directory, but we would love to hear from you! What do YOU think are the best parks in the Twin Cities? How about the best parks in Minnesota? What parks did we completely miss? What is your favorite little unknown gem? We really want to share all your favorite indoor playgrounds and outdoor parks! Let us know and we'll add a review here.
Twin Cities parks are great for hiking, biking, rollerblading, kayaking, canoeing and other fun physical games. But, they are also just great for hanging out in a hammock and picnicking while the kids explore and enjoy some of the best playgrounds in Minnesota. Let's enjoy our parks:
Inside Parks and Indoor Waterparks
In Minnesota indoor playgrounds are a necessity! I know we think of outdoors when we think of parks, but with our long, dark and cold winters, some indoor active games are a must. You can even have indoor picnics at these parks. This such a great way to stretch the summer feeling into the winter! Check out some of the best indoor playgrounds in the Twin Cities this winter.
Outside Parks and Outdoor Waterparks
Minnesota has these, too! And during our short summer, we want to take advantage of them as much as possible! best In fact, the Minneapolis and St. Paul Parks are some of the best outdoor playgrounds twin cities - actually in the country. They win awards - every year! Look and See. Every. Single. Year. So get out to our area parks, make up some fun games to play.
Beaches
Some of the best beaches in the Twin Cities are hidden little gems. Anne has her favorite 20 Twin Cities Beaches, Parks & Playgrounds to Try This Summer. She revises the list every year to keep us in the know.
Shakespeare in the Park at Twin Cities Parks
One of my favorite ways to enjoy our parks is with a play or musical in a park. It doesn't really have to be Shakespeare, it can be the latest Disney princess musical or even a puppet wagon. In fact, sometimes Open Eye Figure Theatre's driveway tour has some park stops. Watch our Performing Arts page each summer to find these fun, free park events.
Music in the Parks - Minneapolis, St. Paul, Suburbs
Nothing says easy summertime fun like music in the parks! The best thing is, there is seriously a concert every night of the week from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Obviously, some get cancelled due to weather, but pick any nice night, take a look at the Family Fun Twin Cities calendar and you can find music in a park. No sign up, no tickets, no money, no commitment. Show up, bring a picnic, play at some of the best playgrounds in Minnesota and relax to great music.
Movies in the Parks at Twin Cities Parks
One thing I love about Movies in the Park is that they tend to screen at some of the best playgrounds in Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities. I love to make it a full evening with a picnic and some fun outdoor kid games and Park Games for Kids. This is a good time to see newer kids movies that you didn't catch in the theater or to introduce your kids to your own childhood favorites without having to gamble on library DVD quality.
Tot Times
Active indoor games for preschoolers are something we are always on the search for when the weather is uncooperative. The parks have a lot to offer with their tot times and open gym slots. For instance, they often offer riding toys, hula hoops, games to play with preschoolers, balls of all kinds, climbing structures, fun games for toddlers, etc.
Looking for the Best Playgrounds and Parks Beyond the Twin Cities?
If you are traveling outside the metro, you'll want to check out some of our favorite day-trip parks. If you are going further than that, we have a list of great family-owned websites to direct you to the best parks around the country so you don't have to depend on national websites or random internet searches.