Loring park is Minneapolis' answer to New York City's Central park.
Proportionally smaller, it still occupies several square blocks (including a pond) in downtown Minneapolis. In the late 60s it hadn't yet reached the pinnacle of its notoriety but even then it was a place best be avoided after dark. There was the Salvation Army home for unwed mothers next to it, a funky junior college, and many apartments ringing its perimeter. Its reputation as a gay cruising spot was completely warranted.
At that time there were kids who played there, kids on their own, doing kid stuff like using the swings, playing hopscotch and, like the girls pictured below, even doing a little dress-up. When those of us attending the college used the park for impromptu photo sessions these urchins would sometimes insist on getting in on the action:
The park has made a comeback since then, The Walker Art Center Sculpture garden is connected to it and the once humble “JC” is now a mammoth community college, Loring Park has become its quad.
These girls would now be in their mid 60s, I wonder if they’ve revisited the park lately?
