Soccer games at Elliot Park in Downtown Minneapolis as Canadian wildfire smoke rolls in once again.

A fresh snowfall settles over Loring Park near downtown Minneapolis, softening the landscape around the park’s pedestrian bridge and historic shelter building. From above, the snow highlights the geometric layout of paths, railings, and terraces surrounding the bridge, which crosses a narrow channel connecting sections of the park’s pond system. Loring Park—a key part of the city’s late-19th-century park plan—remains one of Minneapolis’s most recognizable urban green spaces, bordered by the Loring Greenway and the southern edge of downtown. The new snow creates a uniform winter texture across the lawns, benches, and shoreline vegetation, with only light footprints and plowed walkways hinting at early morning activity in the park.

A Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board kiosk on East River Parkway in Minneapolis.

A park in South Minneapolis.

"The Princess Bride" being played as part of Minneapolis "Movies in the Park".

Downtown Minneapolis as seen from Franklin Steele Square park in South Minneapolis.

A December snowstorm over Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis.

Bryant Square Park sits in the heart of the Lowry Hill East neighborhood—better known as “The Wedge”—and has been part of Minneapolis’ park system since the early 20th century. The illuminated sign marks one of the city’s older community parks, which originally grew out of residential expansion along the streetcar lines that shaped much of South Minneapolis. The park has long served as a gathering place for the surrounding blocks, offering playgrounds, athletic courts, open green space, and a recreation center that has hosted everything from youth programs to neighborhood meetings.

Historically, Bryant Square reflects the city’s early investment in small, walkable parks distributed throughout dense residential districts. Its development mirrored the Wedge’s transformation from a streetcar suburb into one of Minneapolis’ most eclectic and tightly knit urban neighborhoods, where parks continue to function as important public commons.

Mill Ruins Park near downtown Minneapolis with Canadian wildfire smoke.

Park closed due to coronavirus signage at Elliot Park in Minneapolis.

A basketball hoop with a board over it to prevent playing during COVID-19 in Minneapolis. May 2020

Elliott Park in Downtown Minneapolis. One of my favorite parks downtown because of the skyline that's visible from the soccer fields.

Gold Medal Park in Minneapolis with the 40+ story "Eleven" rising in the background.

Signage at Gold Medal Park near downtown Minneapolis.

Gold Medal Park sits along the Mississippi River near the Mill District in downtown Minneapolis, named in honor of the city’s flour-milling heritage and the iconic Gold Medal Flour brand. Designed by landscape architect Tom Oslund, the park opened in 2007 as part of the Guthrie Theater redevelopment and features a distinctive spiral mound at its center offering views of the river and city skyline. The illuminated park sign and tree-lined paths create a serene nighttime atmosphere against the industrial and cultural backdrop of the historic mill area.

Minneapolis parks coronavirus signage on closed streets during COVID-19.

Snow surrounding a bench in Father Hennepin Bluff Park in Northeast Minneapolis.

Foggy evening in park near W Bde Maka Ska Blvd in Minneapolis.

The Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis as seen from Gold Medal Park.

Sunset as seen from Boom Island in Minneapolis.