Water Power Park is a 1.4 acre park across from Minneapolis Riverfront District. The benches, lamps, walkways and railings reflect the area’s history.
It features walkways, bike paths and scenic overlooks of the falls and is a unique location for a wedding.
The park also offers visitors a flashback to early riverfront life. Panels located throughout the park tell stories of flour mills, saw mills and one of the country’s first hydroelectric plants. Electricity has been generated at the site for more than 120 years.
As a provision of re-licensing the St. Anthony Falls Hydroelectric Project, Xcel Energy developed a recreation resource management plan that included the new park. Owned by Xcel Energy, Water Power Park is managed by the Park Board.
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.
