The Excelsior Commons

The Excelsior Commons and the Excelsior Docks date to the origin of the city. Platted as "Public Ground" on the original 1854 Excelsior village map, the original 13-acre park included open recreation areas, picnic and camping sites, swimming beaches, and a baseball field. The park, which includes shoreline on Gideon's and Excelsior bays, has been home to bathhouses, pavilions, boat works, playgrounds, beaches, picnic and camping grounds, baseball fields, tennis courts, and a bandshell. In addition to traditional park uses such as picnics and family gatherings, the Excelsior Commons and Docks provide diverse recreational opportunities for all age groups through a variety of events and organized sports. Today it offers a bandshell, bathhouse, baseball diamond and concession stand, a playground, a large open gathering area, tennis courts, two swimming beaches, and seasonal docking for Excelsior residents. One of the largest parks along the shores of Lake Minnetonka, its main docks are now called the Port of Excelsior and serve both private and commercial watercraft.

Excelsior, Minnesota · United States