Lake Harriet Park, city park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Lake Harriet Park is a large green space in Minneapolis surrounding a calm lake with gentle slopes and walking paths that circle the shoreline. The grounds feature open lawns with shade trees, children's playgrounds, a band shell for concerts, picnic areas, and boat docks for summer recreation along the water.
The lake was named after Harriet Lovejoy, wife of a Fort Snelling founder in 1819, and the city purchased surrounding land to create a public park. In the late 1800s, citizens donated property and helped shape the grounds with trails, pavilions, and boat docks.
The park bears the name of Harriet Lovejoy, wife of a Fort Snelling founder, and locals take pride in this connection to the area's past. The shoreline has been kept natural by community effort, showing how residents value open water and green spaces as gathering places for families and neighbors.
The park is easy to reach by car, bike, or bus and has parking available near neighborhoods like Linden Hills and Fulton. Bring water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes for walking the paths, and you will find clean facilities open year-round to serve visitors.
President Barack Obama spoke at the band shell in 2014, and the park once hosted U.S. Olympic speed skating trials, making it a site with several notable historical moments. An annual Kite Festival on the frozen lake draws crowds each winter and showcases a distinctive seasonal tradition for the community.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
