Park Series: William Berry Park

WILLIAM BERRY PARK
Minneapolis, MN

What to expect?

Mostly sand footing with a few rubber pathed areas and sidewalks to cross the sandy areas.
A cement path surrounds the playground so, while some kids play, others can bike or scoot.
Street parking is limited but there is a cheap pay-by-the-hour lot near the pavilion and you’d just need to hike up the grassy hill to get the playground.
There are bathrooms inside the pavilion but it must be open. I didn’t see any port-a-potties nearby.
The playground is fenced in pretty well, preventing any wild runners from getting to the street, plus it’s up on a big ol’ hill. The sand on the rubber flooring can get a little slippery if kids are running too fast, so just keep an eye on them.
There are 3 regular swings, 1 accessible swing and 2 baby swings available.
There’s a few park benches for parents to rest throughout the playground.
The area for toddlers was tiny (mostly sand and a couple small items to climb on). This playground is made more for older kids, but my rough-and-tumble preschooler did almost everything without a problem.
There’s a giant spiderweb net thingie, tall slides and plenty of ropes to climb.
It’s basically across the street from the Lake Harriet Pavilion – which means you can go take in the lake, grab an ice cream or glass of wine from Bread & Pickle or go for a stroll around Lake Harriet (almost 3 miles roundtrip, but you can’t bring your wine).
Oh, and Lake Harriet’s Bandshell offers some sweet movies and music in the park, so maybe plan your visit around a showing of The Sandlot or something.
OR you can really surprise your kid and take them on a spontaneous ($2.50 and free under 3) 15-minute ride on the Como-Harriett Streetcar. The station is right down the hill (walkable) and you can buy your ticket at the station. Streetcar hours are listed here.
You are driving distance from Lake Harriet’s North Beach if you want to keep the day going and bring a swimsuit and towel.

What to bring?

Sand toys for all the sand!!
You’re surrounded by grass, so bring a lunch, a blanket or a frisbee and have fun! Or just have your kids run up and down the hill a few times to tire them out.
Drinks. There’s no water fountain and it can get hot by the sand.
There’s little to no shade, so sunscreen on hot days.
Maybe scooters, bikes or rollerblades for buzzing around the lake paths.
Cash for snacks at Bread & Pickle if you choose to go to the Lake Harriet Pavilion.
Credit card if you need to utilize the pay lot.
Lake Harriett usually has ducks lingering about the shoreline. While you shouldn’t feed ducks bread, you can feed them frozen or cooked corn or quartered grapes. Just a thought if you’re organized enough to pre-pack sandwich baggies of kerneled corn.
Swimsuit and towel if you choose to head down to the North Beach (it’s a drive, not a walk). Also down the road a bit is Linden Hills Park, which is another great playground but also has a wading pool, bocce courts and basketball courts.
Bring your energy – because when you’re done at the playground, you could drive up the hill and play in the Linden Hills neighborhood (get a Great Harvest cinnamon roll or Sebastian Joes ice cream, then read a book at Wild Rumpus or do a craft at Heartfelt).