North Commons Park and Recreation Center is a 25-acre park in North Minneapolis. Its large space encompasses plenty of family-friendly adventures including, an outdoor water park and wading pool, sports fields and courts and a big playground with play structure and sand play area. The water park is open from early June through late August. Amenities include three-story speed and loop water slides, a water playground kiddie area with a zero-depth entry, and “Funbrellas” for shade. Lap swim hours are offered daily. The water park’s regular season runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Adult supervision is required for kids 12 and under. Replacement of the waterpark is part of the planned updates to this park. Stay tuned. In June of 2021, the Minneapolis Parks & Rec Board voted to eliminate the admission fees to the water park. However, in 2023, they brought back fees for adults. Adult swimmers pay $5 and non-swimming chaperones pay $3. All kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Expect to pay $3 minimum for a family day at the pool. A great deal for Teens! They do not require a chaperone and do qualify for free entry. There is an additional non-guarded wading pool that is also free. The wading pool is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. North Commons Park has participated in the summer meals program, offering free lunch and snacks to children under 18 years during summer break. Each year, participating Minneapolis Park locations are found on the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (“MPRB”) website or call ahead to confirm it is still participating in the program. This recreation center has air conditioning. It offers guests a variety of camps, activities, events and programs. Find more information in the seasonal activity guides. Indoor attractions include board games and a computer lab. The game room isn’t quite an arcade, but it has foosball, ping pong and billiards. In 2019, the gymnasium was updated with a new basketball court, backboards, rims, lights, fresh paint, and new enhancements throughout the center. These improvements were part of an effort to build a safe place for families and young people to play, learn and grow so this park could continue to be a community hub and a resource for kids of all ages. A new rec center is in the planning stages of development. In 2021, MPRB announced that they move forward with a project to “transform North Commons Recreation Center and Water Park into a Northside hub for community, arts, athletics, and recreation.” Planned updates will include: “The proposed design includes a large play structure with inclusive spinning features in both play areas for younger and older children. It features additional slides for all ages and abilities, musical play features and is located in the area with preserved trees that provide significant shade.” MPRB hopes to begin construction in the Summer of 2024 and complete work in 2025. Thrill seekers can explore these activity pools for tons of fun. Amenities can include lap pool options, tube slides, surfing simulator, body slides, waterslides, diving board, wave pool, water cannons, hot tub and more.
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