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

Recreation Center Amenities:  Multi-Purpose Room, Kitchen, Lounge, Meeting Rooms, Arts and Crafts Room and Restroom Facilities

Park Hours:  6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

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.

Monthly Community Get Togethers: The third Thursday of each month Pershing park staff hold a special community gathering. Join anytime from 6:00-7:30 for special treats, games, and crafts! Note, on rare occasions an event may be postponed due to weather or holiday conflicts.

 

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)