OVERVIEWThe Loring tennis courts were the first public tennis courts built in Minneapolis. They date to the founding of Loring Park in 1887. Back then there were two concrete courts
for use by anyone who could supply their own net. Loring Park is the largest park in Downtown Minneapolis. It is locally known for its diverse social environment and is the site of various cultural, social and political events – a quintessential urban park. It features a playground, biking and walking paths, public art, a lake with a fishing pier AND four extremely popular tennis courts in need of replacement! In fact, they are unplayable. Newly restored tennis courts will allow important youth and senior programming and recreational play to resume. The Twin Cities Pride Festival Tennis Tournament, an annual event, will return as well. DeLaSalle High School boys and girls tennis teams will have a new home. |
Loring Park Tennis Courts
1382 Willow Street Minneapolis MN 55403 The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Friends of Loring Tennis/Support the Courts Foundation are working together to secure funding to reconstruct the existing four tennis courts with the possibility of adding dedicated pickleball courts.
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Register for free by joining us to receive our periodic updates on the status of court maintenance and opportunities for involvement. We will keep you current on the pending decisions of the Park Board that impact tennis and suggest ways in which you can have a more effective voice. In time we will introduce a forum through which we can meet other players and discuss issues of the day.
Use the DONATE button above to make a dollar contribution in support of our mission to renovate the Loring Park Courts.
Use the DONATE button above to make a dollar contribution in support of our mission to renovate the Loring Park Courts.
Mark Tierney & Mike Pickard
DONATE TO FRIENDS OF LORING TENNIS
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Contact ellenmdoll@gmail.com if you have questions, or if you or your business is interested in making a contribution.
You may send checks to: ‘Friends of Loring Tennis’ 1787 Dupont Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55403 THANK YOU! |
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HISTORY OF LORING COURTS
Loring Park was established in 1883 after the passage of the Park Act, which first created the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The park was first named Central Park. In 1890 the park was renamed again in honor of Charles Morgridge Loring, who was the first president of the park board in Minneapolis.
Loring Park was purchased by the Minnesota Public Parks board on April 28, 1883. The land was purchased for $150,000 and contained 30 acres of land. A few more pieces of land were added to the park for a total cost of $350,000. This was the first plot of land that was purchased by the Minnesota Public Parks board. Shortly after purchasing the land, the Minneapolis Public Parks board hired George Brakett and Horace Cleveland to design the park and to drain the bog in the lake. They used plants that were brought in from nearby woods to complete the design for the park. They also decided at this time to make the park pedestrian only.
In 1906 the first permanent building in any Minneapolis park was constructed in Loring Park. The heated two-story shelter was donated by Charles Loring and was used as a warming house, recreation center and kindergarten. In 1960, the park renovated the shelter to be used as a space for senior programs. It was the first Minneapolis park to provide senior activities. Loring Park was the first park in Minnesota to have electric lights. The lights were installed in fall of 1884 to be used to illuminate the pond during winter skating season. In 1916 the local General Mills Company provided the park with 91 electric lights.
Loring Park was purchased by the Minnesota Public Parks board on April 28, 1883. The land was purchased for $150,000 and contained 30 acres of land. A few more pieces of land were added to the park for a total cost of $350,000. This was the first plot of land that was purchased by the Minnesota Public Parks board. Shortly after purchasing the land, the Minneapolis Public Parks board hired George Brakett and Horace Cleveland to design the park and to drain the bog in the lake. They used plants that were brought in from nearby woods to complete the design for the park. They also decided at this time to make the park pedestrian only.
In 1906 the first permanent building in any Minneapolis park was constructed in Loring Park. The heated two-story shelter was donated by Charles Loring and was used as a warming house, recreation center and kindergarten. In 1960, the park renovated the shelter to be used as a space for senior programs. It was the first Minneapolis park to provide senior activities. Loring Park was the first park in Minnesota to have electric lights. The lights were installed in fall of 1884 to be used to illuminate the pond during winter skating season. In 1916 the local General Mills Company provided the park with 91 electric lights.