Central Park — Attraction in Minneapolis

This is a great park! I came here on a nice warmer December day, late afternoon and ran a loop around the lake and also did the fitness circuit around the pond in the back and then finished the loop around the lake. It was perfect for a shorter, mostly flat workout. The fitness stations were decent...not the best circuit I've ever done as they weren't really spaced evenly around the pond and the resistance on the strength ones was fairly low, but it was still a nice way to get a little circuit workout in. I'll have to go back and take some photos of the stations, since I only see one posted on here. There are 4 fitness stations- 3 around the pond and one on the loop to the right towards the playground. Going off memory, here is what was at each one: 1.) Squats, arm stretch, and ab twister 2.) Chest press and stair stepper thing 3.) Incline Push-ups and Pull-ups, elliptical 4.) Arm Bike and balance steps

The elliptical was actually pretty decent for an outdoor park one. Arm bike was decent too, except it being way too low- I'm 5'2" and had to squat to the right height. Someone taller could probably do it kneeling or if you wanted to use if for a longer cardio session, you could bring a chair to sit and do it. You can extend your fitness circuit onto the nearby playground (SW corner) if you want as there are a few more fitness stations there more for kids- there is an over-under mobility station on a slight hill with both high and low hurdle type things and also an agility ladder. Also lots of balance and climbing type things you could add in if playground isn't busy with kids.

The playgrounds looked really fun for kids with lots of fun things to climb on, obstacle courses, percussion instruments, a rocket ship, balance things, fun swings, a zip line. All overlooking the lake. The paths here were decently nice. The smoothest path in the lake sections of the park is the one around Bennett Lake. The path was mostly smooth with a few tree root bumps and cracks here and there. It's smooth enough to be decent for a short rollerblading loop if you live nearby, but I'd be careful going too fast since there are a few bumps. It is approximately 1 mile around Bennett Lake and about a quarter mile around the fitness circuit pond loop. It's nice they have separate bike and walking paths for much of this side of the park. Park also has a decent sized sledding hill on the west side just north of the Victoria West plaground. I did not venture across Victoria Street to the east side of the park, but it looks quite large on the map with a board walk and ball fields. I will definitely be back here again to check...

Playground details! Here's the scoop. There is a smaller playground on the east side. That's where the rocket is. The west side, entrance on Victoria, is where the BIG playground is and it is fantastic. It feels like it has everything. Big slides (including a really long rolly-slide). Accessibility. Musical section. Tunnel. Zip lines. Different merry-go-rounds. Swings. Climbing everything. Little kid stuff, big kid stuff. I like that it's mostly astroturf or the rubber flooring, only woodchips are by the swings (woodchips and my baby do not mix). Plus, a gorgeous view of the lake on one side and a beautiful fountain in a big pond on the other. To get to the big playground map "Central Park Victoria West". You can walk between them on the path, but you have to drive all the way around the park to get to the other parking lot.

There's also a paved walking path, nice looking tennis courts, and lots of picnic tables.

One thing it does not have in the cold season is a bathroom. Sign said closed for the season until April 15th. There's a port-a-potty, but today it was unusable as it hasn't been attended to in who knows how long. We had to drive across the street to the port-a-potty at the baseball diamonds. I don't know about the east side, but I'm guessing it's the same. We'll definitely go back many times and I will...

Overall thoughts: OMG THIS PARK IS BEAUTIFUL. We will be back.

SWINGS? 3 traditional, one accessible and one baby/toddler

PLAY STRUCTURE FOR BIG/LITTLE KIDS? This is definitely made for kids 5+, lots of drop offs and climbing.

SHADE? At 10:30am the majority of the park was shaded.

DISTANCE FROM PARKING LOT TO THE PLAYGROUND? A little ways, probably equivalent to the length of a Target parking lot.

TABLES OR GAZEBOS? One gazebo near the playground and lots of picnic tables around. One right by the park.

BENCHES? Two well placed benches.

BATHROOM? 4 handicap accessible bathrooms in the gazebo by the playground.

WALKING PATH? Lots of path to walk! Not directly around the park, but lots of of paths and one that goes around the body of water to the other playground on the other side.

OPEN AREA? Yes! A beautiful open area for kids to run!

BUSY/LOUD STREET? Busy, yes. Loud, not noticeable. The parking lot and open area are between the playground and the street so it's not noticeable.

ANY FUN EXTRAS? Horseshoes! Baseball fields. An amphitheater. The parking lot was packed when we arrived but no one was even at...