The mission of Three Rivers Park District is to promote environmental stewardship
through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system.
Three Rivers Park District is a park system in the west suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area of Minnesota. We manage almost 27,000 acres of park reserves, regional parks, regional trails, and special-use facilities. The name "Three Rivers" comes from our parks' geography, situated within the watersheds that flow into three significant rivers to this region: the Mississippi, the Minnesota and the Crow.
With facilities for every season, including picnicking, swimming, play areas, boating, fishing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, golfing, camping, and sledding, Three Rivers Parks is the place for recreation, play and relaxation. We have developed an extensive trail system for hiking, biking, in-line skating, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. We also offer program sites for nature, recreation, historic, and farm education. The Park District serves 7 million park guests per year.
Minnesota State Legislature established Three Rivers Park District as an independent, special park district in 1957. Our charge is to acquire, develop and maintain large park reserves and regional parks and trails for the citizens of suburban Hennepin County, Scott County, the metro area, and the State. Download our Annual Report (PDF: 5MB)
We work cooperatively with the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, Metropolitan Counciland State Legislature as one of ten implementing agencies of the Metropolitan Regional Park System. This system of parks was established in 1974 by the Minnesota State Legislature to provide outdoor education, recreational facilities, services, and programs. Collectively, the system serves more than 38 million park guests per year in the seven-county metro.
Three Rivers Park District is governed by an independent, seven-member Board of Commissioners. Five members of the board are elected from districts in suburban Hennepin County, and two members are appointed by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. Board meetings are generally held on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 5:00 PM. Meetings take place in the Board Room of the Administrative Center.
View the Board Meeting Schedule | Download the 2010 Adopted Operating Budgets
The Natural Resources department is responsible for maintaining and protecting all water, wildlife and forest resources within the Park District.
Our Public Safety department is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors to the Park District.
The Planning and Development Department coordinates and provides planning, concept design, construction services, geographic information services, and infrastructure management for the Park District.
We work to ensure the accessibility of our parks and trails for all people.
The Park District was created in 1957. Since then, it has grown to encompass almost 27,000 acres of parks and trails and is visited by 7 million guests annually. Take a look at a brief overview of our
history.
Your
donations allow Three Rivers Park District to expand and enhance its services beyond those provided through taxes and user fees.
We know you'd rather be out enjoying our parks so we've compiled a list of
FAQs to help you quickly find the answers you're looking for.
