Minot is a central location for northern activity and charm. It’s also a family destination, with numerous parks and recreational facilities that keep families of all ages active and entertained. From walking for exercise to kids involved in sports to dog owners needing a place to run about, parks in Minot offer great opportunities. Here are the most scenic parks with activities in Minot, ND, and why they’re worth exploring.
Oak Park
Address: 11th to 14th Block of 4th Ave. NW, Minot, ND 58703
Oak Park is one of Minot’s best family-friendly destinations. There’s a phenomenal splash pad to cool off on summer’s hot, sticky days. There is an incredible amphitheater on-site where bands play at different points throughout the season, and community events take place year-round. There are new-age playground apparatuses and sand volleyball courts, picnic shelters for afternoon gatherings, and roofed access when the weather is dicey. There are even walking trails that branch off of Oak Park into the greater Minot trail systems.
Why we like it: This is a great place to work hard and play easily in one location. The splash pad ensures little ones stay cool in the summer, and the amphitheater promotes a sense of community. Since it’s in downtown Minot, location isn’t an issue, and it’s the pleasant merging of Minot Township efforts.
Roosevelt Park Zoo
Address: 1219 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, ND 58701
The oldest zoo in North Dakota is the Roosevelt Park Zoo. Established in 1914, the original residents were 24 squirrels. Today, over 135 animals and 68 species call this place home, which is a favorite among guests, with over 115,000 annually. This zoo may be on the smaller side, but it’s part of flood recovery construction for great renovations in the early 2020s. The collection lives inside a conservation-based facility with a focus on education and guest experiences, observing animals. The historical Zoological Building, built in 1921, still houses the zoo’s aviary as it connects animal lovers to over a century of experience caring for wildlife.
Why we like it: This smaller scale means you get intimate animal interactions that larger venues cannot always offer. It’s committed to educational conservation efforts, so every visit is enjoyable and impactful. As the oldest zoo in North Dakota, you also get a sense of history specific to the region, with current efforts in animal care.
Leach Park
Address: 400 2nd Ave SW, Minot, ND 58701
Leach Park is one of the smaller neighborhood parks in Minot that allows families a quaint respite from larger attractions in town. The playground equipment is great, and the green spaces welcome kids of all ages, meaning community families frequent this park on a regular basis. There are open fields for sports, games, or picnicking, with mature trees offering natural shade. There are also walking trails that connect with the regional trail system. While small, it’s an intimate space that fosters much local family activity and community gatherings.
Why we like it: Leach Park has a neighborhood, intimate feel in comparison to some of the more sprawling parks across the city. The mature landscaping lends itself to a natural, comforting setting to spend quality time with family, and its location makes it convenient for Valley Street residents to access without having to drive far, and it still boasts great recreational features.
Scandinavian Heritage Park
Address: 1020 S Broadway, Minot, ND 58701
Scandinavian Heritage Park celebrates the Nordic heritage that contributes to the identity of North Dakota. There are true-to-life replicas of a stave church and windmill with folk art elements spread throughout the landscaped venue. Since it’s more of an outdoor museum, families can breathe in the air while learning about the immigration process, settling practices, and cultural legacies from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. There are interpretive signs for a better understanding of the immigrant influence and how these cultures fit into the present-day North Dakota way of life.
Why we like it: This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet North Dakota’s history on a global scale, as it holds a park-like atmosphere but serves as an educational facility. The structures are intriguing for children and adults alike to take photos of, and it’s something that everyone should experience sooner rather than later.
Find Your Next Home Near Minot’s Parks
It’s easy to remain active, appreciate nature, and stay involved with the community when all of this is at your fingertips. If you’re seeking a new apartment that provides easy access to all of Minot’s natural beauty, consider Live at Minot, which has multiple pet-friendly apartments mere moments from nature.
Whether you want to wander to Oak Park for some morning strolls, spend the afternoons at Roosevelt Park Zoo, or experience the Scandinavian Heritage Park, you’ll have fantastic green space in your backyard and the perfect apartment mere minutes away.
Splash pads and a zoo to dog parks and tranquility, the parks of Minot, ND, prove that you can have all the outdoor adventures you love in a small, quiet setting. Enjoy the parks and the many other reasons why living in Minot makes perfect sense.
