Pershing Park
Pershing Park Recreation Center
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Recreation Center Hours
School Year Center Hours (Labor Day-Memorial Day):
- Monday-Friday – 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.

- Saturday – 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Closed Sundays
Summer Center Hours (Memorial Day-Labor Day):
- Monday-Thursday – 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday – 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Closed Weekends
Park Information
Park Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Recreation Center Amenities: Multi-Purpose Room, Kitchen, Lounge, Meeting Rooms, Arts and Crafts Room and Restroom Facilities
Park Amenities: Baseball/Softball fields (with 60’ base lengths), Basketball Court, Drinking Fountains, Restroom Facilities, Soccer Fields (mid-August to mid-October), Tot Lot/Playground, Tennis Courts, Wading Pool and Walking Path
Rentals: Rooms and fields are available for rent
Program Information
We offer morning, afternoon, release day and summer Recreation Plus+, a school-age childcare program. In addition, a variety of year-round programs and events are offered for all ages. For more information, contact us at 612-370-4928, visit www.minneapolisparks.org or pick up information at the recreation center.
Sports: Team-based sports programs (Kindergarten-12th grade) are offered through a collaboration with SWAC (Southwest Activities Council) and Linden Hills Park. Preschool and school-age skill building sports programs are offered through Pershing Park.
Lakes Southwest CSA (Community Service Area): Pershing Park works with Linden Hills Park to provide a broader range of programs and events within close proximity. Through the Lakes Southwest CSA, we are able to provide the community with more program options, while stretching resources.
Historical Overview

- The park is named after General John J. “Blackjack” Pershing, commander of American forces in World War I.
- September 22, 1922 – Park land was designated.
- Summer of 1931 – Park and field house construction began.
- Armistice Day, November 11, 1931 – Field was dedicated.
- 1932 – Playing fields, six concrete tennis courts, concrete wading pool, walks, lighting, sprinkling systems and playground equipment were completed.
- Late 1930s – Field improvements were made by Federal Work Relief.
- 1954 – The building was remodeled and playground equipment and wading pool were relocated. In addition, the basement of the park building was converted to a warming room for winter activities.
- 1958 – Pershing was added to the list of full-time, year-round recreation centers due to the improvements made in 1954.
- 1959 – Estimated attendance at Pershing was greater than any other citywide, year-round park program.
- 1962 – Park was renovated through a neighborhood petition drive and property assessment.
- 1976 – The original recreation center was demolished.
- 1977 – Present day recreation center was completed.
- 2002 – Athletic fields were regraded and renovated, and new playground equipment was installed.
- 2008 – Tennis courts and basketball court were renovated and resurfaced, partially with funds raised by “Support The Courts”.
(Source: Parks, Trails and So Much More, written and compiled by David Smith, copyright Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, 2008)