Curving Water

Curving Water

  • Submitted By: Contren
  • Date Submitted: 07/19/2010 3:32 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 1394
  • Page: 6
  • Views: 321

Nick Spartz
Curling Water: The Minnehaha Falls

To those who lived along Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis or nearby Saint Paul, Minnehaha Falls was a central location for the community. Nearly everyone would spend extended amounts of times at the falls or in the surrounding park grounds. It was a gathering place for schools, parties, sports and general exploration of a natural space. While I lived in eastern Minneapolis I spent long stretches of time there; exploring the river banks, enjoying the playground, swimming, hiking, and generally just spending time enjoying the beauty of it. The sights to see were truly grand, both natural and industrial. Between the falls themselves, the park structures, the stretches of wilderness, and the historical monuments you had plenty to take in. These various sights helped plant the seeds of what I am striving for now as an economics major, focusing on the balance of industry and environmental concerns. In addition to lofty plans, spending time here helped me get started in learning what it is like to have a community in which I would be a member of; whether that was in sports, school, or just with my peers. Minnehaha Falls wasn’t the only influence for these things I encountered, but because I spent so much time there as a child it had a great impact on my growth as an individual.
If someone was first visiting the park, the Minnehaha Falls are the obvious focal point on the grounds, opening up into a large viewing area for all to see. While a great sight, it was particularly breathtaking when the ice encapsulates the falls come winter; those who made the journey got to view a truly precious sight of nature at its finest. After tumbling to the ground below, the falls end up in a long winding stream with pathways following alongside it. I would often spend long afternoons walking along those banks. After a decent stroll I would reach the spot where the stream met up with the Mississippi river on its journey south. Looking...

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