Orvin “Ole” Olson Park

Size: 3.47 acres

Neighborhood: Hawthorne

Service Area: North

Commissioner District: 2

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Name: The park was named Skyline Park from the time of its acquisition until it was renamed Orvin “Ole” Olson Park in 2006. Olson was a park commissioner from north Minneapolis 1974-1978. As chair of the Riverfront Development Coordinating Board while he was a park commissioner, Olson was instrumental in establishing policy and guidelines for the later development of the Central Riverfront parks in the 1980s. Olson’s son, Jon, has served as a park commissioner since 2002 and was president of the board 2006-2007.

Acquisition and Development

The land was purchased in 2002 as part of the park board’s long-term plan to acquire more land along the Mississippi River above the falls. It is included in the board’s Above the Falls Master Plan, which targets the acquisition of riverfront property as it becomes available. The land was formerly the location of the Riverside Supper Club.

The first paths into the new park were built in 2007.

The park is a part of Upper Mississippi River Regional Park.

Park history compiled and written by David C. Smith.