Kingfield Goes Outdoors

Small crew, big smiles!

Here's a preview of our treks this weekend! As of right now the weather is expected to be rain on Saturday but don't let that discourage you! Rain or shine we still plan on going!!

Theodore Who?

I keep hearing about some Theodore Wirth guy and his park...What’s up with that?

Well, there’s a bit of history involved here. Theodore Wirth was a man from Switzerland and he immigrated to the US in 1888. He was a young lad, only 25 years old, with a history of working as a gardener. He was hired by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation board to fulfill the role of superintendent of Minneapolis parks way back in 1906. He had a grand vision for the Minneapolis parks system that involved redefining the city’s lakeshores and creating clear lakes, building the first playgrounds for children, he had a hand in developing the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport as well as designing many garden areas we know and love today (the rose garden at Lyndale Park to name one). He also was in charge during the time when the city acquired a ton of land and the parks systems grew to three times the size of when they started.

What is currently known as Theodore Wirth Park started off as Saratoga Park in 1889 when the city bought 64 acres of land for the park. It has grown into a park of about 720 acres of land within the cities of Minneapolis and Golden Valley. In 1938, 3 years after Wirth retired as superintendent, the Park was renamed after him. Currently, the park is split up into three geographical areas. They are North Wirth, Central Wirth and South Wirth. In North Wirth you will find two golf courses and the “back 40”, a recreational area west of the par 3 golf course where many go to bird watch, hike, trail ride and do all the winter activities. Central Wirth’s big features are Wirth Lake and Wirth beach. This is the place to be for swimming, picnics, fishing, beach volleyball, kayaking and more off road cycling and trails for all activities.

South Wirth. This is our destination for April 27th!
You can enjoy many of the activities you will find in the central and north areas of Wirth. More trails for hiking, off road cycling, winter activities like cross country skiing and snowshoeing, etc. But the unique features to South Wirth are the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, Birch Pond and the Quaking Bog.

Theodore Wirth Park is a great place to explore different habitats and nature in the heart of the city! Can’t wait to discover some cool stuff with you all on the 27th!! Stay tuned in for a little more history and info on the places of our first featured Kingfield adventure.

Any interest in a more detailed historical rundown? Please visit

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Disc Golf Events at Wirth Chalet Fireplace Room Events at Wirth Pavilion Parking Information The Trailhead is owned by the MPRB and leased and operated by the Loppet Foundation Winter Recreation at Wirth Park offers several winter activities