Loring Park is the largest park in central Minneapolis

Loring Park is located at the north end of the Whitney bridge, which spans Hennepin/Lyndale in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The park is the largest park in central Minneapolis and is also the name of the neighborhood that surrounds the park. The park is 33.94 acres in size along with 7.08 acres of water.

The park was designed by American landscape architect Horace Cleveland, a small lake and walking and biking paths are part of the park. The park was originally named Central Park, and then renamed in honor of Charles M. Loring. During the summer the park hosts `Movies in the Park', where films are shown on a drive-in movie screen, while visitors are waiting for the movie, they are entertained by a live band. The Twin Cities GLBT Pride Festival is held at the park and on the last Friday of each month cyclists meet for Critical Mass.

Loring was known as the Father of Minneapolis Parks, he was a part commissioner in the legislation that created the park board and was elected by other commissioners to be president of the new board. He promoted park efforts and planted the first trees in Minneapolis west of the Mississippi River. Loring was a successful merchant who ran a dry goods store, then became the speaker of Minnesota House of Representatives that passed the act that created the Board of Park Commissioners.

Loring made the case in 1893 that playgrounds were needed in city parks for children. He also made many significant donations to the park board when he was park commissioner, he donated the shelter and warming house that is beside the pond, and to help complete the artificial waterfall he contributed further funds. His last contribution was $50,000 to be put in a permanent trust, which is to plant and maintain the trees on Victory Memorial Drive, which honors American soldiers killed in battle.

After the lake was expanded in 1884 the park board created a skating rink on the pond and was the first provision for active recreation in parks. The following year electric lights were installed to illuminate the rink. An artesian well was installed next to the lake in 1887 to provide an uninterrupted flow of fresh water.

Other activities in the park included a bandstand and two tennis courts. The park was the center for pitching horseshoes and continues to have an active horseshoe league. The park was the site of dramatic and musical performances since early days, many theatrical performances were held at the park. When the Lake of Isles and Lake Calhoun were linked with Loring Park a celebration was held and attracted over 25,000 people for each performance held in the park.

The park was one of the first parks to have a wading pool installed with state requirements of continuously circulating water.

The park is smaller today than it once was yet the park still remains a vital and useful park for visitors who prefer active or passive recreation. The park is an oasis of vegetation and water in the heart of the city and remains testimony to the vision of the park planners. The television series Man V Food's first season finale was filmed in the park and is named by Craig Finn in the bands Lifter Puller and Hold Steady.