Minneapolis Park Amenities Will Reopen: Timeline Announced

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Tuesday announced will begin reopening courts, play areas, skateparks and sport fields. Visitors will have to follow distancing guidance outlined in Gov. Tim Walz's "Stay Safe MN" order.

"I am grateful the new executive order encourages outdoor recreation facilities be open for families and children. I urge all Minneapolis residents take the state guidelines seriously, take personal responsibility, and practice social distancing in parks to protect themselves and others," stated Superintendent Al Bangoura.

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"Closing some of our park amenities these past few weeks, particularly those in our neighborhood parks, was done for the health and safety of our park guests during the stay at home order," Bangoura continued.

"The new order rightly focuses on youth and families. We welcome the opportunity to reopen these park amenities to serve youth, families and park visitors who are properly social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Reopening in the next two weeks:

Visitors must follow social distancing - no more than 10 people per amenity - and no team sports

• Basketball courts – approximately 100 basketball courts opening across the park system
• Play areas– 118 play areas located throughout park system
• Skateparks– six skateparks
• Sport fields– almost 400 multipurpose fields for soccer, football, baseball and softball
• Tennis courts – more than 120 tennis courts across the park system

Open currently or opening soon:

• Parks, Trails and Parkways - 180 parks, 51 miles of Grand Round trails, trails throughout neighborhood parks, 21 miles of parkways closed to motorized vehicles and open to pedestrians and cyclists
• Golf Courses – six golf courses and three driving ranges
• Dog Parks – seven dog parks
• Gardens and sanctuaries – 12 floral gardens and two bird sanctuaries
• Eateries -- take-out options only -- Lola’s Food Truck started weekend service at Bde Maka Ska last weekend and Bread & Pickle at Lake Harriet opened last weekend (opening soon: Sea Salt will open at Minnehaha Falls on May 22; Sandcastle will open at Lake Nokomis on June 3)
• Bike and Boat Rentals – bike rentals opened last weekend at Minnehaha Falls and bike and boat rentals opened last weekend at Bde Maka Ska and Lake Nokomis (opening soon: bike and boat rentals will open at Lake Harriet on May 23)
• Boat/canoe launches and fishing piers –five boat launches, seven canoe launches, and 10 fishing piers