I’ve always really liked Purgatory Creek Park in Minnetonka ever since I worked near that area. I think it’s because it’s really small and it’s just much more quiet and quaint. It is not quite as busy as the majority of the other parks in Minnesota during the summer. I’m not surprised if you haven’t heard of this one or even really seen it. Even when you drive down Excelsior Boulevard, it is still quite hidden. Once you find it though, you’ll see it’s full of wild flowers, butterflies and has a small creek. There are a few really unique things about this park I should add; there is a concrete bridge in the park that is a remnant of a bridge that carried the Minneapolis-to-Excelsior streetcar line over Purgatory Creek (the ridge that ran parallel is still visible) and there is an old red barn, formerly part of the Westburg farm. Fun fact about the Westburg family, they started a bottled water business using water from the spring located near Purgatory Creek. Later, they operated a grocery store, that later became an aquarium shop. If you’re in the area and you need to stretch your legs or if you’re looking to add a little Minnesota history to your afternoon, I highly recommend stopping here.