Farview Recreation Center
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Farview Recreation Center offers a vibrant community atmosphere with dedicated staff and engaging programs like 'The Dancing Diva's'. It's a good choice for families seeking a positive environment, accessible pool amenities, and reasonable rental options, though be mindful of communication issues with specific staff and potential parking limitations during events.
Key Highlights
- ✓Great staff overall, fostering a positive environment (Review 2).
- ✓Good variety of snacks and drinks available (Review 2).
- ✓Specific programs like 'The Dancing Diva's' dance team, led by Ms. Tiffany, are highly praised for positive youth engagement (Review 2).
- ✓Facility is described as 'very nice' (Review 4).
- ✓Restrooms are very close (less than 20 feet) and conveniently located near the pool area (Review 5).
- ✓Provides an enjoyable experience, with families staying for 3+ hours (Review 5).
- ✓Reported to be a safe environment with 'no violence anywhere' (Review 5).
- ✓Rental prices for the facility are considered 'reasonable' (Review 3).
Standout Features
- ⭐Dedicated staff like Ms. Tiffany and unique programs such as 'The Dancing Diva's' (Review 2).
- ⭐Convenient availability and variety of snacks and drinks (Review 2).
- ⭐Reasonable pricing for facility rentals (Review 3).
- ⭐Well-maintained and 'very nice' facility (Review 4).
- ⭐Highly accessible restrooms, located less than 20 feet from the pool area (Review 5).
- ⭐A strong sense of community and a 'no violence' environment (Review 5).
- ⭐Convenient location for local residents (Review 5).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →If planning evening outdoor activities (e.g., football), confirm in advance that lighting will be provided (Review 1).
- →For rentals, be prepared for potential communication delays from staff members like 'Alfred', and consider following up aggressively or requesting a different contact (Review 3).
- →Arrive early for events or consider alternative transportation due to limited parking (Review 4).
- →Be aware that the environment can be lively with 'over the top' kids, which is normal for a recreation center (Review 2).
Things to Consider
- ⚠Management refused to turn on lights for an evening football game, leaving kids to play in darkness (Review 1).
- ⚠Poor communication from specific staff member 'Alfred' regarding rentals, with over two-week email response times reported (Review 3).
- ⚠Limited parking availability during events (Review 4).
Price & Value
Rental prices for the facility are described as 'reasonable' (Review 3). There's a good variety of snacks and drinks available for purchase, which is seen as a 'plus' (Review 2), implying fair value, though specific costs are not mentioned.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Restrooms are very close to the pool area (less than 20 feet), which is beneficial for quick access, potentially aiding those with mobility needs or young children (Review 5). No other specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •A variety of snacks and drinks are available on-site and are considered a 'straight plus' (Review 2). No explicit policy regarding outside food or drinks is mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •Parking is reported to be 'limited during an event' (Review 4). No information is provided for general, non-event parking.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The center sees a steady flow of 'families after family' (Review 5), suggesting it can be popular. Events are likely to draw significant crowds, leading to limited parking (Review 4). No specific times are noted for peak crowds outside of events.
🛡️Safety Features
- •A general atmosphere of 'no violence anywhere' is highlighted (Review 5).
- •Staff are described as 'great' (Review 2), implying good supervision.
- •Programs like 'The Dancing Diva's' are emphasized for keeping children engaged in 'positive' activities, preventing 'negative' behavior (Review 2).
- •A specific safety concern was raised regarding the refusal to turn on lights for an evening football game, forcing kids to play in darkness (Review 1).
⏰When to Avoid
- • Evening outdoor activities where lighting is crucial, unless explicit confirmation is received beforehand (Review 1).
- • Renting the facility if prompt email responses from all staff are critical to your planning, particularly if dealing with 'Alfred' (Review 3).
- • Attending events if you rely solely on on-site parking and expect ample spaces, due to reported limitations (Review 4).
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Owámni Falling Water Festival
October 18
N/A
Celebrate Indigenous Minnesota cultures along the riverfront.
Brush with Nature: Watercolors in the Garden
October 19, 2025, 1-3:30 pm
N/A
Gather in community and get creative with watercolors inspired by nature. All skill levels welcome. Includes an introduction to watercolors and general instruction on the hour from Garden Naturalists. Basic materials provided. Meet outside the Martha Crone Visitor Shelter.
Art in the Park with Mia
Summer
Free
Free summer youth workshops in Minneapolis parks, conducted in close collaboration with the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
🍎Food Policy
- • No-Cost Meals and Snacks Program.
- • Community Kitchen available (includes fridge).
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Youth Sports Department aims to provide a fun, participatory and safe environment guided by knowledgeable and supportive coaches.
📅Booking Policy
- • Room Rentals: Call Farview Recreation Center directly to reserve space for meetings or special events. Recreation Center Rental Application [PDF] available.
- • Recurring Athletic Rentals: To reserve a field, court, or rink for two or more dates, visit the athletic permit page.
- • Outdoor Event Space: Reserve park space for corporate events, community celebrations, and more.
- • Athletic Rentals (single): Call Farview Recreation Center directly to reserve a field, court, or rink for a single practice or game.
- • Activity Registration: Search by keyword or activity #, check availability, and sign up online via ActiveNet.
- • ActivePass Program: Go to your neighborhood recreation center during business hours to sign up for a free ActivePass, which is required for some activities.
- • Adult Sports League Registration Dates: Winter 2025: October 22, 2024; Spring 2025: February 25, 2025; Summer 2025: April 22, 2025; Fall 2025: June 17, 2025.
- • Youth Sports Programs Registration Dates: Winter 2025: October 23, 2024 12 PM CST; Summer 2025: February 19, 2025 12 PM CST; Fall 2025: May 7, 2025 12 PM CST.
- • Youth Sports Registration Process: Choose a sport, age division, and three preferred sites. Youth Sports staff will review registrations, create teams based on preferred sites, and place teams into citywide leagues.
- • Youth Sports Friend Requests: Guaranteed if they are reciprocal and made within one month of registration opening.
- • Youth Sports Partner Leagues: Schools and youth-serving organizations can enter full teams using the Youth Sports Partner League Team Declaration Form.
- • Youth Sports Post-Deadline Registration (Fall 2025 example): Rosters completed July 30. No waitlist. Contact individual parks directly after July 31 at 3 pm to inquire about available space and sign up.
- • Spring/Summer Youth Sports 2025 Registration: Closed July 16, 2025.
- • Fall Youth Sports 2025 Registration: Period May 21-July 16, with volleyball extended until September 2.
- • Winter/Spring Youth Sports 2025-26 Registration: Opens October 22, 2025.
- • Youth Sports Registration Methods: Online via MPRB ActiveNet, In-Person at any recreation center, Phone (612-230-6400 or any recreation center during business hours if paying with credit card).
- • Adult Sports Registration Methods: Online or in person at Park Board Headquarters (2117 West River Road). For more info/registration, contact 612-230-6400 or visit www.teamsideline.com/minneapolisparks.
🚗Parking Information
- • Annual Patron Parking Permit available for most popular regional parks (implies general parking may be available).
What People Say
What's Great
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
JACOBandDAD
8 months agoWe played football here on Friday night, August 9 2024. They refused to turn the lights on. What a shame. Kids played in darkness!
Mrz Krayola
2 years agoEveryone here, for as the staff or great. The kids at times can be over the top but hey that's kids right! Let me add, how they stay with different types of snacks and drinks. A straight plus. Must I shout out Ms. Tiffany and her beautiful dance team/The Dancing Diva's.. They are dedicated beautiful diva's who would rather be doing something positive, then out in the street doing something negative.😘😘
Alexandriaa Sanders
a year agoAlfred is horrible at communicating. I sent him an email over two weeks ago I'm still waiting on him to respond back to me. Other than that it wasn't too bad to rent out. Price is reasonable. I would just rather work with someone other than Alfred.
Alex Sosa
7 years agoLimited parking during an event, but center is very nice!
Nardal Stroud
2 years agoWe went for the afternoon and stayed for the fun we were there for 3 hours the restroom was very close less than 20 feet away and the same area as the pool we enjoyed ourselves so much leasing families after family's go through there and we also just long enough to see some of our own family members arrive with their children so it was awesome no violence anywhere oh and very close to the house conven.