Minneapolis parks

Minneapolis has a large park system consisting ofto the larger river.
ten square miles (26 km2) of land and water thatafter a heavy rain. Photographs of the waterfall
is interlinked in many places. The Grand Roundsfrom the 1800s show a much wider, curtain like
Scenic Byway circles through the city and bringscharacter to the falls. When the falls is dry, the
together many of the bigger park areas includingolder, much-broader ledge can be observed. If
land along the Mississippi River, many of the city'sthere were sufficient interest and funding, some
lakes, and other scenic areas of the city. Theremedial work could theoretically restore the 19th
route has a parkway for cars (not acentury appearance of the falls.
freeway—literally just a roadwayDue to the extremely cold temperatures in the
through park land, though the number of stops isarea during the winter months, the falls often
reduced), a bikeway for riders, and a walkwayfreeze, creating a dramatic cascade of ice that
for pedestrians all running in roughly parallel pathscan last well into the spring. If there is a rain
along the 50-mile route. It is the first naturalshortage in the autumn, the falls may virtually dry
scenic byway totally located in a major urbanup. In the summer, especially in the rainy months
area(dubious; discuss) . Additional routes in theof June and July, the flow can be surprisingly
Minneapolis park system crisscross the city, andforceful.
the number of bikeways and walkways continuesToday, the falls are located near the entrance of
to grow. They also interconnect with neighboringMinnehaha Park in Minneapolis. The park is divided
cities. One of the most famous parks ininto two main portions, an upper section above
Minneapolis is Minnehaha Park, where Minnehahathe falls which is kept trimmed and maintained like
Falls is located. A number of cultural heritagemany other city parks, and the lower section
events take place there every year. Prospectwhich is largely left in a natural state. Minnehaha
Park is the home of the 1913 water tower, aPark is a popular site for cultural festivities and
Minneapolis icon.weddings.
There are several freshwater lakes across theSome historic structures are located in the park.
southern part of the city. The most significantThe home of John H. Stevens, built in 1849 or
grouping is the western "Chain of Lakes"1850 near St. Anthony Falls was moved to
consisting of Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun, Lake ofMinnehaha Park in 1896. According to the
the Isles, and Cedar Lake. Lake Nokomis andMinneapolis Park and Recreation Board, the home
Lake Hiawatha lie farther to the east.has the distinction of being the first wood-frame
Minnehaha Creek is a short tributary of thedwelling built west of the Mississippi. It was in this
Mississippi River located in Hennepin County,home that the name Minneapolis was suggested,
Minnesota that extends from Lake Minnetonka inand the government of Hennepin County was
the west and flows east for 22 miles (35 km).organized. In 1896 over 10,000 school children
Including Lake Minnetonka, the watershed for thehelped pull the house to Minnehaha park and in
creek covers 181 square miles (469 km2). Much1982, the home was situated in its current
of the stream flows through south Minneapolis.location.
The creek might have been unremarkable exceptA small train station officially named Minnehaha
for the 53 foot (16 m) Minnehaha Falls locatedDepot but also known as "the Princess Depot"
near its confluence with the Mississippi. The site iswas built in 1875; it was a stop on the Milwaukee
not far from Fort Snelling, one of the earliestRoad railroad and provided easy access to the
white settlements in the region.park from Fort Snelling, downtown Minneapolis,
While the name is often translated as "Laughingand downtown St. Paul. The depot handled as
Water", the correct translation is "waterfall". Themany as 39 round trips per day; it was once
name comes from the Dakota language elementsintegrated into the region's streetcar system. In
mni, meaning water, and haha, meaning waterfall.1964, title was transferred to the Minnesota
The "Laughing Water" translation comes fromHistorical Society. The Minnesota Transportation
Mary Eastman's book Dacotah, published in 1849.Museum has assisted in the restoration of the
Early reports from white visitors called the spotbuilding. The depot is open on Sundays from 1:30
Brown's Falls, named for United States Armyto 4:30. A modern light rail station currently
commander Jacob Brown.serves the park.
The falls became a tourist destination, especiallyA building known as the Longfellow House is also
after the publication of The Song of Hiawatha byon the park grounds and provides some history
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. However,of the park. It houses a small collection of
Longfellow never visited the falls himself. He washistorical photographs and is the main informational
inspired by the stories of Mary Eastman andsite for the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, a
Henry Rowe Schoolcraft and images of the falls.50-mile automobile, bicycle, and pedestrian
In geologic time, the site of Minnehaha Falls isparkway that circles through the city. It was built
linked historically to Saint Anthony Falls, which isin 1906 for Robert F. (Fish) Jones, who owned
several miles upriver on the Mississippi. Aroundand operated a zoo, the Longfellow Gardens and
10,000 years ago, the St. Anthony Falls wereZoo, and recreational train on the site. The home
located near the site where Minnehaha Creekis a 2/3 scale replica of Longfellow's home in
entered the river. As erosion brought the fallsCambridge, Massachusetts. Jones donated the
upriver, they passed Minnehaha Creek, causing aGardens to the Park Board in 1924.
new waterfall to form. The story actuallyStatues on the grounds commemorate several
becomes even more complex because thenotable figures including John H. Stevens, Gunnar
Mississippi eventually abandoned the portion of St.Wennerberg, Hiawatha and Minnehaha, Little Crow,
Anthony Falls that was then nearest to Minnehaha.and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The main
The lower portion of Minnehaha Creek now flowsMinnesota Veterans Home is also located in the
through a wide and deep channel once belongingarea.