French Regional Park Play Area

The play area at French Regional Park has been an iconic play area in the Twin Cities for generations of park guests. Three Rivers started a re-design process in 2016 to develop a new play area at the park that will meets or exceeds its status as a signature creative play facility.

The new play area is open! Thank you for your patience during the project, and we hope you’ll visit the new play area soon!

play area displaying the word "french."

play area with green slide in foreground.

play area tower with a twisting slide.

play area tower with a double slide.

Fun Facts & New Features

The new French Regional Park play area features iconic towers and nets, slides and more. Here are a few fun facts about your new play area:

  • The tallest tower is 28 feet, 9 inches.
  • The longest point of the play area is 96 feet, 3.5 inches.
  • There are six slides.
  • The tallest slide is 12 feet, 5 inches.
  • There are 47 climbable nets.

The play area also has several new features, including:

  • Water misters
  • A play area for smaller children
  • Additional seating around the play area
  • Shade umbrellas on the patio
  • A ramp through the second level, making it fully accessible

FAQs About The Project

1. How old was the French creative play area?
The Creative Play Area was constructed in 1989.

2. Why was the creative play area replaced?
The Creative Play Area was almost 30 years old and scheduled for replacement. French Regional Park underwent a pavement rehabilitation project in the summer of 2017, so replacing the play area in 2017 limited the impact to the recreation area.

3. Is it true it was structurally unsound?
No, but it was almost 30 years old and showing its age. Three Rivers Park District wanted to replace it before it reached a point where maintenance was cost-prohibitive.

4. Does the new play area have similar features like wood and nets? 
Yes!

5. When will the play area re-open?
The new play area is open.

6. How much did the new play area cost?
Three Rivers Park District identified a project budget of $1 Million in its 2017 capital Improvement program for the replacement of the French Creative Play Area.

French Play Area In the News