Address: 1382 Willow Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55403
Upcoming Events: Jump to Loring Park Events
Website Loring Park
Phone 612-370-4929
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.
My kids love this park. 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.
Loring Park playground & wading pool
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.
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 the Seasons
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.
Dandelion Fountain
The Berger Fountain in Loring Park is better known as Dandelion Fountain because it’s spray is in the shape of a dandelion gone to seed. On a warm summer day, it is nice to sit on a bench just to watch the spray or spread a picnic nearby. However, for the last several years, this nearly 50-year-old fountain has been inoperable due to deteriorated plumbing. MPRB plans to reconstruct the fountain during the summer of 2023, including landscaping and possibly a plaza with seating around it. They may even make it an interactive fountain.
Birthday parties in Loring Park
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.
Upcoming Family-Friendly Events
- Loring Park Earth Day! (FREE) - 04/18/2026 - 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
- Loring Park Kickoff to Summer (FREE) - 06/11/2026 - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
- Loring Pre-Juneteenth Celebration (FREE) - 06/18/2026 - 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
- Loring Park Family Fun Fest (FREE) - 07/16/2026 - 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
- Loring Park Art Festival - 07/25/2026 - 07/26/2026 - SEE TIMES
- Loring Park Art Festival - 07/25/2026 - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Loring Park Art Festival - 07/26/2026 - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again
- Loring Park Annual Dog Show - 07/31/2025 - 6:30 pm - 7:45 pm
- Minneapolis Music In the Parks (FREE) - 08/26/2025 - 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Please Note: FamilyFunTwinCities.com is an independent website run by Twin Cities families for Twin Cities families. We attempt to include the information we find most essential as parents. We make every effort to keep up with changes. However, we are not employed by or connected to this venue, and information sometimes changes without our knowledge. We recommend calling or checking the venue’s website for up-to-date information.
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