MINNEAPOLIS — After months of community input, design adjustments, and construction, the freshly installed playground at Loring Greenway is now welcoming children and families once again. The updated play space, located between Nicollet Mall and Loring Park, replaces a decades-old structure that was removed last November after city inspectors found it no longer met safety standards.
The new equipment features colorful climbing structures, slides, swings, and soft surfacing designed for accessibility. City officials say the project reflects Minneapolis’s broader push to make downtown spaces more family-friendly and inclusive.
“This new playground is a vibrant addition to the heart of downtown,” Mayor Jacob Frey said during the installation announcement. “It gives families who live, work, or visit the city a safe and welcoming space to gather, play, and connect.”
The playground was funded and managed by the City of Minneapolis Department of Public Works, which maintains the Greenway as part of its public right-of-way system rather than through the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The city partnered with neighborhood organizations, including the Loring Greenway Association and Citizens for a Loring Park Community, to ensure the design met community expectations.
Council Member Katie Cashman, who represents the area, previously emphasized the importance of restoring a playground in the space.
“Some may say that a playground is a frivolous pet project,” she said in September. “However, when you are the caregiver of young kids, you know that playgrounds make a world of difference. They create connection and joy.”
The new equipment was sourced from the Danish company KOMPAN, which provided a ready-to-install structure at a cost-efficient rate. That allowed the city to move quickly while still meeting ADA accessibility requirements and modern safety standards.
Residents who frequent the Greenway say the space already feels revitalized. “It’s great to hear laughter back in the park again,” said one nearby parent visiting with her child on opening week. “The Greenway finally feels whole.”
The Loring Greenway serves as a major pedestrian corridor connecting downtown to Loring Park and has long been a hub for community gatherings, walking, and play. With the new playground now open, the city and neighborhood groups hope to continue improving the broader corridor in the years ahead, including planned upgrades for new lighting, seating, and landscaping through 2028.
For families downtown, though, the reopening of the playground marks a meaningful but straightforward return: a place for children to play safely in the middle of the city.
