Microparks and Public Art are Cooler in Greater Grand Forks

One of my favorite parts of any city is its microparks and public art. These spaces tell the story of a city’s culture in a more intimate setting. Here in Grand Forks, we have culture tucked away around every corner, and today I’d like to showcase some of that. While I’ll show a small slice of what is close to my part of the city, I’d encourage everyone to explore their neighborhoods to see what they can find!

First up is a micropark just steps away from my house: Skidmore Park located right on the edge of the Near North Neighborhood near Gateway Drive. It features a historic horse trough which is surrounded by an equally beautiful garden. It’s a lovely place to enjoy an ice cream cone or blizzard from Dairy Queen, right across the street, on a warm summer day. Just remember to look both ways before crossing the street 😜

Moving through the Near North Neighborhood into downtown, Rotary Park contains the iconic gazebo made famous by countless wedding photos. Built from fundraising following the ‘97 flood, it’s a beautiful spot to take a quick break or enjoy takeout from several downtown restaurants. I like to grab a deli item from Hugo’s Pure Market while I take in views of the river.

My favorite part of downtown is the murals seemingly on every block. This is where microparks and murals shine. I love the idea of filling every open nook with something that expresses our local culture, and Town Square sets high expectations.

First up is the Grand Forks mural by The Three Brusketeers, Becca Cruger, Jamie Sebby, and Senta Grzadzielewski. It contains several landmarks and cultural icons such as The Red Pepper, Empire Theater, and Widman’s Candy Shop. Test your knowledge of Grand Forks by trying to identify each letter!

Sitting center stage in Town Square, sits another mural from The Three Brusketeers. This mural was created to celebrate Midco, along with the Downtown Development Association, bringing free public Wi-Fi to Town Square.

These murals help paint a picture of the sense of community in Grand Forks and the value of having a central meeting place for everyone to come together.

Tucked away next door to The Urban Stampede, Pillsbury Park is one of my favorite examples of how parks can fit almost anywhere in an urban setting. This well-shaded park is ideal for enjoying an iced coffee while appreciating some local art. I think whimsy best describes the art found here: ‘School of Fish’ representing artistic contributions from around the world, ‘Dancer and the Player’ featuring elements from Grand Forks’ history of railroading and agriculture, and ‘Cora’ representing North Dakota’s history of beekeeping.

I wasn’t joking when I said there are murals everywhere downtown. Overlooking Pillsbury Park is the Coca-Cola mural. It was recently renovated in 2025 by local artists after the original had nearly worn away. Like the original, it was painted by hand without any stenciling.

Lastly, located on the old Grand Forks Opera house now home to The Spud Jr., the Wheatfield mural is certainly the most eye-catching mural downtown, in my opinion. Done similarly to the pointillist style, small squares create a picture that might be difficult to parse at first. However, standing farther back, you’ll see a beautiful wheatfield and partly cloudy skies representing our region’s history of agriculture.

I hope I’ve illustrated just how vibrant Grand Forks can be through its microparks and public art. As I mentioned, this is just a small part of what our city has to offer. I’d encourage you to explore your area of town to see what is waiting for you to discover!