This historic site has walking trails and biking trails with lots of greens and wildlife to observe go alone or with the family it’s a short distance from the city. You could easily spend the whole day here and still want to come back for more. Would definitely be more of an interesting area if the natives were still occupying the land. You can catch up on historical events regarding this site and it’s past. Go visit yourself and enjoy.

Interesting house and history. Lots of nice paths down to the Minnesota River.

Went back hundred years in this historical place.In the summer plenty to explore and activities galore during September .Hiking , bird watching & flora to be seen.Inside or out u go back in historyImagining times b4 electric indoor plumbing & how we took to times of isolation .Even faith , clothes, food, farmingIntegrating relationships with others outside our culture.The house /museum is closed due to virus. (here is a sneak peak)

Historic information and ample hiking. We had a picnic on one of the two picnic tables.

Excellent tour by Jay. I appreciate all the help Gathering family history too!

I never knew the history. How terrible!

September 16-20 2019 is River Rendezvous at Pond Dakota Park. This in a wonderful, fun event that is held one week in September each year. Monday through Friday school children from all over the state come to learn about life in Minnesota in the period 1800-1870. The daily work and chores are brought to life by a talented group of re-enactors. Each has their specialties from candle making, blacksmithing, trapping and how to wash your clothes. Teddy Roosevelt tells you about the Rough Riders and the charge up SanJuan hill. The Norwegian immigrant tells the store of how he came to America with everything he owned in one small trunk.The history of Native America life and culture is told as it was passed down through dance, music and ceremony.On Thursday evening the event is open to the public from 4:00 to to 8:30 pm. There in a admission charged of $6.00 children 4 and under free.

We went there on a Sunday afternoon and played marbles. The staff were very friendly.

I stumbled upon this place as a boy while riding the trails I found it fascinating. Now I own a home very near by and have spent many hours walking with my child and dogs. Winter events are especially fun when they have the fireplace going in the addition.

Havent been inside the structure yet. Well maintained property and full of history according to the local that took me there.

Pretty cool little historical site in the middle of the big city. Historically significant and overlooked, it is neat to see how it ties in to the river history being the local mission on the Minnesota, upstream from Fort Snelling and the Henry Sibley trading post. It is connected to the river hiking and biking trails that run from the old ferry bridge up to Fort Snelling.

Great parking and trails for hiking, biking or running the Minnesota River Valley.

I love this place for hiking! Its so peaceful!

Fantastic! River Rendezvous was excellent.

According to the Bloomington Parks and Recreation website, Pond-Dakota Mission Park is the site of the historic Oak Grove Mission and the 1856 Gideon and Agnes Pond House, pictured at right. Missionaries to the Dakota Indians and farmers and ministers in Bloomington, Gideon and brother Samuel had their roots in Washington, Connecticut. Young Gideon worked as a carpenter and a farmer, and Samuel as a clothier and teacher. During the Great Awakening, one of the 19th century spiritual revivals in America, the brothers heard the call to give their lives to Gods service. Their journey led them to Minnesota in 1834 where they served as farming instructors and missionaries to Chief Cloud Mans band of Dakota Indians at Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet in Minneapolis. In 1843 the brothers followed Cloud Man to the Minnesota River bluff location where they founded the Oak Grove Mission.Explore this park year-round to learn more about the life and times of Gideon and Samuel Pond, the Dakota people and the missionaries who worked with the Dakota people during the mid-nineteenth century. Step back in time at the Gideon and Agnes Pond House and see what life was like in early Bloomington.

Wonderful site for understanding pioneer life Minnesota history.

Very good. Wonderful first person and very knowledgeable.

One of the treasures of the bluffs. Take the tour sometime. Its worth it

Wonderful place to share some of our Christian Minnesota history!

Wonderful education events and very friendly people

Nice walking trails!!

Lovely info great history

History

Beautiful trails

Thanks for the tour Jay!

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