The City of Minneapolis announced today it will install a new playground in the Loring Greenway in the coming month. This modern, safe and accessible playground will replace the one that was removed in 2024 and represents an estimated $173,500 investment for the neighborhood.
“We strive to make Minneapolis a safe, accessible city for working families,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “This playground will serve as an improved place for the community members of Loring Park to connect, relax, and make memories with their kids. I can’t wait for my two daughters to try it out themselves.”
“Some may say that a playground is a frivolous pet project. However, when you are the caregiver of young kids, you know that playgrounds make a world of difference in the emotional and physical wellbeing of a child,” said Council Member Katie Cashman. “They encourage exercise, imaginative play, and can lead to the creation of friendships that last a lifetime. That is always something worth fighting for, especially in a bustling downtown neighborhood like Loring Park.”
The new playground will serve a diverse mix of families in the Loring Park neighborhood along with visitors to downtown Minneapolis. During a 2024 inspection, safety issues were identified that required immediate removal of a 25-year-old playground that previously occupied the space. Since then, City officials have been meeting with community members to understand their vision for a new playground and applied for grant funding to support the project from the Hennepin County Youth Sports Playground Grant program.
"We’ve been collaborating with the Loring Park community for the past year to make this announcement a reality. I’m thrilled to share this news with them,” said Tim Sexton, Director of Public Works. “We can't wait to see this new playground become a welcoming space for nearby families and downtown visitors to the Loring Greenway for generations to come.”
The project will include sitework, purchase and installation of new playground equipment and new safety surfacing that is ADA compliant. Exact dates are still being finalized but the playground is scheduled to be installed sometime in October.