I love living in the Twin Cities for many reasons. One is the array of great park programs, and another is the terrific food landscape, with so many options, high to low in cost and fanciness.
If you aren’t familiar with the many and various amazing things the local parks offer, get online and check them out. Most Minneapolis parks have playgrounds with options for big and little kids, a wading pool for the dog days of summer (which may come early this year), sports and activity programs for all ages, and a place to hang out indoors on gray and rainy days.
One of my family’s favorites is Logan Park, at 13th and Monroe Streets in Northeast Minneapolis. Their programs are top-notch year-round thanks to Heidi Miller and her friendly staff. They offer a great summer camp for kids seven and up that features fishing, field trips, and more.
At the end of a day at the park, my kids are often whining with hunger, and I need to produce something fast. After Logan Park, we head around the corner to Uncle Franky’s for burgers, hot dogs, cheese fries, and milk shakes. The staff is friendly, there’s a kid-distracting television usually set to a kids’ channel, the line moves quickly, the food is craveable and satisfying for me, and best of all, my kids love it.
When healthful food experts say to eat the rainbow, I’m pretty sure they don’t mean Uncle Franky’s Chicago dog and cheese fries. Nonetheless, there’s a time and a place for everything, and Uncle Franky’s after the park is a fun treat after an active day.
What is your favorite local park, and where do you like to take your kids for food when you’re finished?
Logan Park
690 13th Ave. NE, Mpls.
612-370-4927
logan@minneapolisparks.org
Uncle Franky’s Nordeast
728 Broadway St. NE, Mpls.
612-455-2181
