Parade Park

Parade Park is a 45.77-acre public green space located in the Lowry Hill neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The park has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century when it was acquired by the Minneapolis Park Board between 1903 and 1935. Originally, the ancient course of the Mississippi River flowed through this site, resulting in peaty soils that were ideal for gardening.

Over the years, Parade Park has served various purposes and undergone several transformations. In its early days, it was used for military drills and exercises, which led to its name "The Parade." The park became a center for amateur sports in the city, with baseball and football fields being developed in the 1910s. By 1914, it boasted seven baseball fields and two football fields, cementing its status as a premier athletic ground in Minneapolis.

The park's central location made it a focal point for many city discussions and developments. Throughout its history, Parade Park has been home to various facilities, including tennis courts, an ornamental garden known as the Armory Garden, and even a public bathhouse built in 1901. In 1951, the park saw the construction of Parade Stadium, Minneapolis's first public football stadium with a seating capacity of 16,560.

In more recent years, Parade Park has continued to evolve. The former Parade Stadium was demolished in 1990 to make way for an expansion of the adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Today, the park still serves as a vital recreational space for the community, offering a mix of athletic fields and other amenities for public use.