Best parks in Twin Cities (Minneapolis, St. Paul: living, garden, swimming)

[Slig]

I'm curious to see other people's input on this. We've been to a bunch of parks but would like to make sure there aren't any we've missed.

My favorite parks so far are Boom Island Park, Lake Nokomis Park, Powderhorn Park and Lyndale Park with the rose garden (all in Minneapolis).

[MNNative]

We like Hyland Park in Bloomington.
Moir park in Bloomington has a disc golf course, so that gets points.
Elm Creek we've only been to for skiing and tubing but it's our favorite spot for those activities.
I'm drawing a blank...

[Haver]

Centennial Lakes Park in Edina
Woodlake Nature Center in Richfield

[MNNative]

Oh yeah, Centennial Lakes, how could I forget! That's our putt-putt spot. My kids' favorite walking park, too (maybe cause they go there so often with my mom...it was my favorite place when I was younger, too).

[Slig]

Elm Creek is a good park but I would consider it more family oriented. I had fun there as a kid with the massive playground and swimming lake but it probably wouldn't excite me too much now. Another park I enjoy that I haven't been to in a long time is the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Fort Snelling State park is another place I need to spend some more time in.

By the way, how is Harriet Island Park in St. Paul? I've been curious about that one. I've been to the Crosby Family Farm Park just upstream and wasn't impressed.

[kuan]

Como Park comes in first place for me simply because of the zoo.

[Camden Northsider]

Minneapolis rules in the parks department, and my favorites, probably not surprisingly, are all on the Northside - first on the list would be Theo Wirth Park, and all of the great things in and around it - the Eloise Butler Wildflower garden, quaking bogs, etc.

I of course am also very partial to Victory Memorial Parkway - although it's mainly just open green space, I really like its historical value and the symmetrical, tree-lined boulevards create a very nostalgic feel for me - living close by, it provides easy access to Victory Park, Crystal Lake park areas, Ryan Lake, Webber-Camden and Theo Wirth which is an added bonus.

And North Mississippi Regional Park - although its close proximity to 94 is somewhat of a drag, there are places where you can get to feel like you've removed yourself from the city and are surrounded by nature and the river.

There are some southside parks that I like as well - the park areas around Lake Harriet are really nice.

[nick is rulz]

powderhorn, theo wirth, nine mile creek

[jazzymentality]

Anything with sidewalks, flowers, and playsets

[BORGUSX]

What park(s) do you guys recommend to find a lot of hot girls?