At 27 acres, Folwell Park is one of the largest parks in north Minneapolis. Located on Dowling Ave. N between Humboldt Ave. and Knox Ave., Folwell Park offers something for everyone. From strolling the wooded walking paths to enjoying a picnic, the park is a great place to spend a leisurely day. For more active pursuits, Folwell offers multiple softball and baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields and courts for tennis and basketball. The totlot playground and wading pool provide kids with hours of fun.
Folwell Park was one of the first parks in the city to offer year-round programs and activities for youth. Recreation Center amenities include an indoor gymnasium, a computer lab and programs for people of all ages.
To make available a better and broader range of recreational services, Folwell Park is part of a Community Service Area, with Webber Park and Creekview Park. Other nearby parks include Cleveland Park and Perkins Hill Park.
The six-block area of Folwell Park was acquired in 1917. The park was named for William Watts Folwell, a park commissioner from 1889-1907, and the first president of the University of Minnesota. The recreation center was one of the first constructed during the recreation center building boom of the 1970s; it was remodeled in the 1990s as part of a park renovation project that included building a new playground, repaving walkways and re-grading the athletic fields. A new basketball court was installed in 2008.
Historical Profile: More information about this and other parks is included in Parks, Lakes, Trails and So Much More, a richly detailed account of the histories of Minneapolis’ renown recreational system.
