Minneapolis: Minnehaha Falls in Minnehaha Regional Park

I had not realized that it started with Kip Winger.

Maria had seen something about him being at Minnehaha Falls, and we were going to be in Minneapolis and somehow we got this idea that it was something you should make an effort to see. It is actually something that -- if you want to see -- it requires some effort.

We clearly told the driver twice that we wanted to go to Minnehaha Falls, but we were dropped off at the Veterans Home. I wish he had just told us he didn't really know. In retrospect, we probably shouldn't have tipped.

We figured it couldn't be that far, so we started off across this bridge. Was that over the river that the falls poured into?

We couldn't see or hear a river. That seemed like a bad sign. We kept going though.

It was a nice day, and there were lots of walking trails. The park contains gardens and historic buildings, though at least one of the historic buildings, the Longfellow House, is actually a replica. It is a pretty old replica though. Plus there is art!

There were also lots of squirrels.

We eventually asked for directions. No, not from him.

The first people we asked were new in the area and had no idea. The second people were pretty sure it was one way. I was not sure how long I could maintain the party's interest in the goal. Sure, you think online directions, but that was not working. Then I noticed this walkway.

I now know it was the Minnehaha Falls Pergola Garden. On the other side we found the falls in all their quiet majesty.

It was now clear why we hadn't heard any rushing water.

Signage revealed that when they needed to impress Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert Humphrey, they diverted water from fire hydrants.

Of course, a big part of this is water diversion and development. You can read about restoration efforts here:

https://www.startribune.com/rewilding-minnehaha-a-decade-long-plan-to-repair-the-degraded-creek-begins-to-pay-off/600281830/ 

Regardless, we made it. Because we had intended to see it, there was some satisfaction in doing so. Do I recommend it? Not really. It's not bad, but it works better as a local park (local parks are great) than as a tourist attraction.

However, if you are in Minneapolis, decide to go, and use some sort of ride-sharing app to get there, ask to be taken to the Sea Salt Eatery, even if it's closed. People can find it, and then the falls are right there.

Accessibility: While there is room to criticize navigating in terms of signs, paths are nice, wide, and smooth. If you know where you are going, you should be able to get there.

COVID: All outside with wide open spaces. While the park does seem well-used, there should not be issues with social distancing.

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/minnehaha_regional_park/

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

You know, Milwaukie isn't the only city starting with an M that has a sculpture garden and a giant cherry.

The Minneapolis sculpture garden is larger, being one of the largest urban sculpture gardens in the country at 11 acres.

Apparently it also moves some temporary sculptures in and out, but it has a large permanent exhibition as well. (Technically, I think the Bing cherry in Milwaukie is permanent, and thus separate from the other sculptures there.)

While I don't think Spoonbridge and Cherry is at the exact center of the park, it does play a very central role, where you are aware of it even as you are walking around the other sculptures. This may cause some of the other pieces to take you by surprise.

For example, quite near it there is a giant blue rooster. I remember wondering how I hadn't noticed; it is really big and really blue.

Those two particular examples may make it seem like a very whimsical sculpture garden, but there is a wide variety of work, with different types and styles.

Some are more traditional, and more representative.

The overall tendency does seem to be more abstract.

Some may also be more familiar. In addition to the blue rooster, Hahn/Cock, which has a counterpart in D.C. (though it started in Trafalgar Square), I swear I saw something very similar to this one in Philadelphia.

The large size of some of the installations may make it easy to forget how large the area is.

I notice that a lot of the photos look farther away than they seemed when I took them. Taking that time to go closer can reveal new details (along with the name of the piece and artist).

The site has joined with other spaces and is near some other landmarks, like Walker Art Center, and is connected to Loring Park by the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge, which adds its own structural form.

I admit, with abstract art, it can be easy to get confused. I thought I saw some installations across, at the Walker Art Center, and thought about going to see them, then thought it was workers installing pipes. It appears to actually be Privileged Points, on the Art Center grounds. Art is wild!

Certainly, not everything there will be to everyone's taste, but there is plenty to be interested in for anyone.

Some of the art can be explored in depth, reading the messages and pondering.

And sometimes you just enjoy giant cherries and chickens.

COVID: The attraction is completely outdoors, with plenty of room for spreading out, even under the Cowles Pavilion.

Well, maybe put on a mask if you go in here.

Accessibility: There are a few entry points with steps (especially from Bryant Avenue, I think), but there are also ramps and once in the park paths seem pretty wide, smooth, and navigable. 

Of course, there is a lot of ground to navigate. That includes a row lined with small benches that you can sit on, and we saw people sitting on, but where there are also messages. They can be interesting, but are you sitting on the art and is that appropriate?

I did think about it, but I looked down at this one first: "Gifted children, those with an IQ of 125 or above, are prone to feelings of alienation, frustration, and boredom. These feelings can culminate in violence if the children are not encouraged and challenged."

Exactly what are you trying to say, sculpture garden?

Yeah, that's what I thought.

https://walkerart.org/visit/garden

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_Sculpture_Garden

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/gardens__bird_sanctuaries/minneapolis_sculpture_garden/

Milwaukie, Oregon: City Hall Sculpture Garden

 

At midnight (Eastern Standard Time) on New Year's Eve, the city of Milwaukie lowered a lighted cherry sculpture, bringing in the new year and introducing a new sculpture. We were not there.

https://www.milwaukieoregon.gov/arts-committee/bing-new-year

However, reading about it let us know two things. First, there is a new cherry sculpture, commemorating the development of the Bing cherry in Milwaukie by horticulturist and foreman Ah Bing.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/bing-cherry

In addition, we learned that there is a whole sculpture garden at Milwaukie City Hall.

It is not a large or permanent exhibit; there are generally about six sculptures at a time, with new ones sought out about every two years.

Still, it is an interesting chance to view some public art at no cost, and in a fun area full of comics, chocolate, and interesting shops.

This rain cloud over an upside down umbrella worked well with the weather during our visit.

Information on the web site was for the previous batch of sculptures, but it included prices, so display here could be a precursor to later sales.

It also adds some variety and interest to the heart of the city.

COVID: The entire garden is outside, with easy distancing.

Accessibility: While the paths can be slippery, they were generally smooth and wide, so safe navigation should be possible.

https://www.milwaukieoregon.gov/arts-committee/city-hall-sculpture-garden