January 24, 2008: Loring Park/Kenilworth Trail Hike (Minneapolis)

Join Joan B. for a hike through Loring Park, through the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden, and along the Kenilworth Trail. Loring Park was established in 1883 with the purchase of 30 acres of land and was named for Charles Loring, an early Minneapolis park commissioner who was considered to be the "Father of the Minneapolis Park System." In 1906, Loring donated the Loring shelter, a 2100 square foot Spanish mission style structure with a roughcast exterior finish and a Spanish red tile roof. The building was enlarged by the WPA in 1937 and was renovated in the 1970's. For decades, a statute of Ole Bull has stood in Loring Park, commemorating the day when the famous violinist came to town. In 1879, lumber mogul Thomas B. Walker opened his private art gallery at 1750 Hennepin Avenue to the public, the start of developments that led to the creation of the Walker Art Center on adjoining property. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a collaborative project of the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and contains the works of more than 44 sculptors (see a map of the garden). The trail begins in downtown Minneapolis, goes near the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and initially trail parallels the Burlington Northern tracks. The Kenilworth Trail extension parallels the old C&NW tracks on the east side of Cedar Lake.

If coming by car: FROM THE WEST: Take Highway 394 east and exit at Dunwoody Boulevard. Cross Lyndale at the second stop light and proceed onward. Road will curve slightly left and becomes Hennepin. Drive to 13th Street and turn right. Cross Harmon. Cross Yale and proceed up a slight hill, around the large flower holder, past the front door, and into open sided garage. (After you crossed Yale Place, 13th Street became 'my' driveway.) Ring to enter the building and sign in your car noting the make, model, color, license plate number and that you're visiting Apt. 909. 1235 Yale place is a dark brick building. I'll meet you in the lobby. Rest rooms available. After the hike and potluck you do not have to sign out. Come early if possible as it takes time to elevator the food up to my apartment on the 9th floor. If you miss the Dunwoody Exit, which exits on your right, continue on 394 to 12th Street. Take the 12th Street exit, Exit 9A (on your right). Turn slight right onto N 12th Street and follow 12th Street past Hennepin, past Harmon to Yale Place and make a right turn. After one block, turn left (Street sign to right will say 13th Street.) into the driveway for 1235 Yale Place, a brick building. Proceed as above. FROM THE EAST: Take I-94 West to Minneapolis, exiting at Exit 233A. Turn slight left to take the 11th Street Ramp. (If you stay right you'll be exiting to East Grant Street.) Stay slight left to end on 11th Street S. Continue across several cross streets including Marquette, Nicollet and La Salle until you reach Harmon. Turn left and drive past 12th to 13th Street. Turn left onto 13th Street, cross Yale Place, circle up the driveway, park and proceed as above. FROM SOUTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS: Take the Hennepin Avenue bridge. Stay right and follow traffic signs to 2nd Street and turn right. Turn left onto 1st Ave N. Stay straight. 1st Ave N becomes Hawthorne. Turn left onto 12th Street. Turn right onto Yale Place. Turn left after one block into the driveway of 1235 Yale Place. Park and proceed as above.

After the hike, the group will reassemble at Joan's apartment for pot luck snacks. Bring something to share.

Map to the hike starting point, 1235 Yale Place, Minneapolis MN

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This page was last modified on December 23, 2007.