North Loop tot lot procedes with construction

Not too far from 730 Lofts in the North Loop a new kids playground is moving ahead. In addition to answering a clear need for a playground on the north side of downtown, this new playground will feature “nature play” as a major component. In an era where many children are content to stay indoors and play video games and watch television, many simply miss the “outdoors experience.” The Minneapolis Parks & Recreation Board aims to increase children’s curiosity about nature by drawing them into the park with a nature play playground.

Nature play will be featured with a play stream, where children can pump water to flow down the stream and play in it as well as in adjacent planting beds and sensory play areas with sand in them. Play panels teaching about trees will be featured in the play structure.

Formerly the site of a saw mill, the playground’s location lies in the heart of the historic saw milling district. The play structure will incorporate saw milling themes and provide learning through play while incorporating custom details such as historic log stamps once used to identify logs floating down the river from the north woods. Interpretation of these historic facts will engage both children and adults. Plans for the new playground expand the picnic area in this Central Riverfront location in keeping with the Central Riverfront master plan, completed with the assistance of a citizen advisory committee and approved by the Board of Park Commissioners in 1982. Residents in the area have been advocating playground development in the neighborhood for several years.