The conservatory stretches far beyond on either side and a pond in front.

This is from an article that Forbes published recently published about the best urban areas to experience the outdoors. Minneapolis was also recently named on the list of "Best Places to Raise a Family" in a piece featured on the Today show. It is so sool to live in a place that has so much to offer. Now if only winters were warmer! It seems as if this place is kept intimate and fun and welcoming because of the cold winters. There would just be too many people moving to The Cities if the winters were balmy and it would lose some of its appeal.


"Park Perks

In Minneapolis, which ranked seventh, high per-resident spending and efficient management have served residents well. Though the city endures 154 days of the year with low temperatures 32 degrees or below, 15% of the city's land is devoted to parks. (The average for cities on our list was 10.5%.)
The 5,400 acres of park land are put to efficient use: There are activities for every season, including sailing lessons and kayaking at Lake Harriet in the summer and trail walking and cross country skiing at golf courses during the winter. The city also maintains a bandshell venue for summer concerts, a wildflower garden, bird sanctuary and 29 outdoor skating rinks."

http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/12/outdoors-health-cities-forbeslife-cx_rr_0512realestate.html