Gold Medal Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Gold Medal Park is a popular urban park located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.


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Summary

The park was designed by landscape architect Tom Oslund and opened in 2007. It covers an area of 7.5 acres and is located near the Guthrie Theater and the Stone Arch Bridge.

One of the main reasons to visit Gold Medal Park is its beautiful design and picturesque location. The park offers stunning views of the city skyline and the Mississippi River. It also features a variety of artworks, including the iconic "Spoonbridge and Cherry" sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen.

Other points of interest in Gold Medal Park include a walking path, a green space for picnics and relaxation, and a performance area for concerts and other events. The park also hosts a variety of community programs and activities throughout the year.

Interesting facts about Gold Medal Park include the fact that it was built on the site of a former parking lot, and that it was named in honor of Minnesota's Olympic athletes. The park was also designed to be environmentally friendly, with features such as a rain garden and solar-powered lights.

The best time of year to visit Gold Medal Park depends on personal preference. The park is open year-round, but the weather can be quite cold during the winter months. Summer and fall are popular times to visit, as the park offers a variety of outdoor activities and events during these seasons.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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