
Before Van Cleve Park was named, it was referred to as 2nd Ward Park as seen here in the 1892 Plat Book for Minneapolis. The man-made pond took the place of what would have been the first “playground” in a Minneapolis park. (John R. Borchert Map Library, University of Minnesota)
That pond made one huge skating rink that included a hockey rink with lights in the 40’s.
That must have been pretty impressive. I bet the rinks were full in those days, too.