Walking History Tour of Como Park
Go back in time with a walk through Como Park's past. Download any version of the following walking tour, read and follow the map for a taste of how things once were. Do it alone, or bring a group. Pack a picnic and enjoy it at one of the picnic grounds along the way or stop at the lakeside pavilion for an ice cream cone and take in a free Sunday evening concert in the summer. Visit the Conservatory or Zoo, or just walk or pedal around the lake. Make a day of it, or come for a short walk.
There are several ways you can experience this. The full three-part Reading Tour takes approximately 1-1/2 hours on foot; 1 hour by bike. Don't have that much time? The tour is broken into three parts--just print out the pages you want and spend about a half-hour walking that part.
The tour follows paved paths within the park, but feel free to explore as you wish.
You can also choose to download an MP3 Audio Tour to free up your eyes, or choose a more in depth experience with the Extended Reading Tour.
Tour Map (PDF 760k)
This accompanying color map contains all the routes with the points of interest marked to match the tour.
Reading Tour (PDF 1502k)
Photos and Text, Part I, II, and II, 12 pages
- Part I (pages. 1-5)
Begins at the streetcar station, passes the lakeside pavilion and ends at the pedestrian bridge crossing Lexington.
- Part II (pages. 6-9)
Begins at the Global Harmony Labyrinth, continues around the
Ibsen Monument, and ends at the Conservatory and Carousel.
- Part III (pages. 10-12)
Begins at the Dietrich Lange Memorial (near the Conservatory parking lot) and continues through the Hamline picnic grounds and Como Woodland & Outdoor Classroom and ends at the Como Pool.
Audio Tour (40 MB)
Downloadable MP3 file, 40 minutes,
Part I, II, III
This contains all the information in the above reading tour in narration and sound effects.
Expanded Reading Tour - (PDF 1621k)
Photos with more detailed text, 18 pages, Part I, II, III. For the History Buffswho want more, this is an expanded version of the above Walking Tour with more detail. The complete expanded tour takes about 1-3/4 hours.
Sources (PDF list, 38K)
Where all this information came from.
A BIG THANKS!
We'd like to thank the following for their great efforts in putting this together.
-
Tour researched and written by Sharon Shinomiya © 2009.
- Map graphic design and project coordination by K. Darby Laing, LAINGdesign.
- Voice talent contributed by Greg Ritter (gbritter@msn.com) with help from
Essential Sessions and Recording Edge studios.
Let us know what you think at info@comoparkalliance.org.