The pandemic was a boost for Twin Cities parks, and theyre still going strong

Attendance at Twin Cities parks saw a slight reduction in 2024, largely due to rainy weather, but overall visits remain near record levels since the pandemic. Emmett Mullin, manager of regional parks for the Met Council, emphasized that many residents discovered these parks during COVID-19 and have continued to frequent them. Flexible work schedules have led to varied park usage throughout the day, contrasting with pre-pandemic patterns. Carver County Parks reported a notable 14% increase in visitation, attributed to population growth and the addition of new park amenities such as mountain biking trails. Minneapolis' regional parks are the most popular, drawing an estimated 25 million visits in the past year.

The Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis ranks as the second most visited location in Minnesota, behind the Mall of America. Park operators face challenges in maintaining facilities due to the high visitor numbers. The Met Council uses park usage data to track trends and inform funding decisions for regional parks.