Beltrami Park

Beltrami Park is a charming neighborhood park located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This park is steeped in local history and surrounded by the vibrant Beltrami neighborhood, known for its Italian-American heritage. Named after the Italian explorer Giacomo Constantino Beltrami in 1948, the park was initially called Maple Hill Cemetery before its transformation into a community space. A bronze plaque honoring Beltrami still stands within the park as a tribute to his legacy.

The park is a shaded retreat, with dense woodland covering much of its area, providing a cooling canopy during warmer months. A variety of recreational and communal spaces make it a focal point for residents and visitors alike. Beltrami Park is home to unique bocce ball courts, a nod to the neighborhood's Italian roots, which are popular during summer evenings. In addition to this, the park offers a mix of sports facilities, including basketball and sand volleyball courts, soccer and softball fields, and an imaginative train-themed playground with a separate tot lot for younger children.

Recent improvements to the park have included resurfaced basketball courts (completed in 2015) and the construction of a timber-frame picnic pavilion in 2016. The park's amenities, including a wading pool and picnic areas, make it a great destination for families and gatherings. Nestled within its grounds is a Little Free Library, encouraging community engagement through reading. For those interested in walking or cycling, the park includes paths for quiet strolls or activity. The inclusion of grills, restrooms, and seating areas enhances its usability for picnics and events.

Beltrami Park not only serves as a space for recreation but also as a piece of living history. Historical markers within the park remind visitors of its past as a cemetery and its evolution into the lush green space it is today.