Added: 12/30/2005 |
If You?re Looking For A Park, Minneapolis Is Full Of ThemIf you're planning a visit to the Twin Cities, you'd do well to pack along a pair of running or walking shoes. An item that really ought to be considered "standard issue" in this neck of the woods! If you're looking for a lake or park, Minneapolis is full of them. The city is proud of its fabulous park system and the nearly endless network of lakes within the Twin City alone.
But that's only the tip of the iceberg. Work your way towards downtown Minneapolis, and you'll find a chain of five stunning lakes that have paths established for walking, jogging, biking, and in-line skating. Better make that two pair of running shoes, because you'll find nearly 44 miles of bikeways and 45 miles of walking and jogging paths in Minneapolis! Like I said, if you're looking for a lake or park, Minneapolis is full of them!
The Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet section of what is known as the "Chain of Lakes" is quite popular. It's just a few minutes from downtown and located in an area referred to as "Uptown" Minneapolis. Lake Calhoun is a popular hangout for windsurfers, canoeists and kayakers, and anyone else with inkling to sail. Yep, if you're looking for a lake or park, Minneapolis is full of them! And things don't slow down during the cold winter months either, as ice fishing is a popular pastime as well. You can do something completely different and follow the perimeter of Lake Harriet. This nearly 3 miles circumference is highlighted by the many palatial estates that line the lake shore.
And if all you want to do is stay downtown, don't worry there I still an abundance of parks and greenery. Visitors can spend a day enjoying the Minneapolis Riverfront's maze of beautiful parks and trails. A favorite is the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail, a self-guided tour of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District. Then you can follow the 1.8-mile historic walking trail along the Mississippi River. Need I say one more time, if you're looking for a lake or park, Minneapolis is full of them!
There are more than 50 miles of biking, hiking and walking trails that wind their way through the Twin Cities. And the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Service deserves much of the credit for coming up with innovative ways to integrate these natural surroundings with the ever-growing urban center.
The 1.8 miles of trails that surround Lake Como include the Como Zoo, Como Conservatory and the Japanese Garden. Como Lake is considered a fisherman's paradise. Plus there are about eight more miles of trails along the Mississippi River which creates a memorable setting for a nature walk.
All told, Minneapolis boasts 22 lakes and 170 parks. Visitors can get complete information from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Service. The famous "Chain of Lakes" includes Cedar, Calhoun and Harriet Lake, plus the Lake of the Isles. Incredibly, all but Harriet Lake are connected by waterways. It's a perfect place for canoes and fishing boats and visitors will see plenty of both all year round. Make no mistake; if you're looking for a lake or park, Minneapolis is full of them!
Swimming beaches are plentiful as well. Except on the Lake of the Isles, which seems to attract more joggers and skaters than anything else. It's easy to see you can devote an entire summer to the many lakes and parks of Minneapolis and still not see and experience everything they have to offer!
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