They put real cream in your coffee at Silverwood Park...

Are you a city dweller pining for nature? You don’t have to drive far to find peace and quiet. Silverwood Park in St. Anthony is a 15-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis. Nestled on the shores of Silver Lake, the park is a tranquil spot full of mature oaks, restored prairie, picnic tables and fishing piers. We were there on a Friday morning, and the fishing was hot.

Everything about this park is beautiful, from the stone-covered sign to the main building. I was impressed.

Yes, the fire pit on the island is in the shape of a canoe.

The girls ran up and down and all around the outdoor amphitheater. I'd love to return for a concert. The place reminds me of Stonehenge.

Nature-inspired art classes taught by Silverwood staff and outside expert instructors are offered year-round, according to the web site: http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/silverwood-park.aspx. Sign up for a ceramics class, join in on a photo workshop, or expand your musical skills. I was amazed at just how many fantastic classes are offered. Here’s just a sampling of what’s coming up:

• Pumpkin Carving on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 5-7 p.m., $7

• Family Clay for Grandparent and Child, Sept. 7 (land), Oct. 5 (water) and Nov. 2 (sky), $15

• MacPhail Family Music, 12-week session Thursdays Sept. 22 to Dec. 15, $220/first child, $130 addition children

• Puppets Can Fly for ages 5-6, Thursday, Oct. 20, $45

• Animal Masquerade for ages 5-14, Saturday, Nov. 5, $15

• Walk When the Moon is Full: Migration, Thursday, Nov. 10, $6

• Camera Club for ages 14+, Saturdays, Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, $5 each session

• Using Expressive Color in the Watercolor Landscape for ages 16+, Tuesdays, Sept. 20 to Nov. 8, $160

• Wedding Fair, Sunday, Sept. 25, noon to 4 p.m. (This looks like a perfect place for a wedding...)

You can also hold a birthday party at the park, and treat the group to an activity they can do together. Options include: clay, seed art, bird puppets and feeders, printmaking: fish printing, bookmaking, apple cidering (April to October), and kicksledding (December to February). The cost is $100 for 15 participants ($150 for the clay activity as it includes project glazing and two kiln firings). How fun, right?!

The park used to be a camp run by the Salvation Army.

Now operated by the Three Rivers Park District, Silverwood used to be a Salvation Army camp. It has been under county control since 2009. They are still expanding the gardens, and we watched folks plant while we were there.

I really want to return for one of their outdoor concerts. I guess musicians are welcome for an accoustic jam session every Saturday morning. They hold other larger concerts throughout the year. Charlie Maguire performed there on Aug. 7.

If you go, be sure walk across the bridge to the island. Bring a picnic lunch and soak in the peacefulness of this hideaway that is so close to downtown you can practically see the skyscrapers over the trees. But the best part is, you can’t see them. You’re surrounded by nature instead.

It's not a huge park, but it packs a lot of bang.

This is the front desk. How cool is that?!

A park with a coffee shop. Sounds perfect to me.

Opt for Izzy's Ice Cream. It may be the best in the city.

Real cream. Indulge yourself with real cream from the glass jar from the coffee shop.

Menu at the park's coffee shop.

Any coffee shop that offers toys and activities for kids ranks pretty high for me. If the kiddos are busy, I might actually get a chance to chat!

The activity calendar at Silverwood Park is jam-packed with fun stuff.

I want to hold an event here. Isn't it simply gorgeous? And there's an outdoor fireplace just outside that bank of windows.

Bring a picnic lunch and hang out on the veranda. Or, bring it down to the island.

You can see the fishing pier belonging to Silverwood Park, and the city-operated swimming beach nearby.

The girls peer out the window at the delights offered at Silverwood Park in St. Anthony.

Bonus: There’s a coffee shop on site that serves a variety of drinks and sandwiches. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to sit on the expansive porch, take my drink down to the lake, or soak up some rays in the outdoor amphitheater. I know I’ll be back this winter. There’s a comfortable chair sitting next to a roaring fire waiting for me.

Here is where I want to be when the weather turns cold.

Drawback: The only drawback to Silverwood Park is that there isn’t a playground for the kiddos. However, the city operates a beach with a playground right next door. Take the sidewalk from the parking lot over to it.

Hours: 5:00 AM–10:00 PM

Phone: 763.694.7707

Address:

2500 County Rd. E

St. Anthony, MN 55421

Web site:

http://www.threeriversparks.org/parks/silverwood-park.aspx