Franconia Sculpture Park Review

Franconia Sculpture Park exudes a feel reminiscent of Lewis Caroll’s Alices’ Adventures in Wonderland. Located in Shafer Minnesota, It covers 50 acres, and is home to dozens of sculptures. The park’s location adds to this sense of wonder, by being off the beaten path just enough to give it a ‘hidden gem’ quality. Read this Franconia Sculpture Park review to learn about:

• ‘Iconic’ Artwork
• Visiting Franconia Sculpture Park
• Location & Admission
• Around the Area
• My Thoughts

The Artwork

Whimsical Stone and Steel

Franconia offers an abundance of sculptures, not only varying in size but also in artistic style. It would be a challenge to navigate the entire park without appreciating at least one sculpture. The sculpture park is so big that it’s hard to see every piece on the first visit. Franconia also consistently introduces new sculptures and invites new artists through its artist residency program.

‘Iconic’ Artworks

From the tangle of steel and wood that is ‘Playstation’ by Bridget Beck (2009), to the conceptual concrete structure of ‘Skallagrim’ by Peter Lundberg (2015), Franconia is full of works that capture viewers’ eyes and imaginations.

If you plan a visit, my recommendations for ‘must-see’ pieces are below:

‘Playstation’
Bridget Beck (2009)
^{Photo taken at Franconia Sculpture Park, 2023}

‘Grief Truck’
Brett Douglas Hunter (2022)
^{Photo taken at Franconia Sculpture Park, 2023}

‘Got the Power: Minnesota’
Bayete Ross Smith (2011)
^{Photo taken at Franconia Sculpture Park, 2023}

‘Rocco’
Amy Toscani (2009)
^{Photo taken at Franconia Sculpture Park, 2023}

‘Skallagrim’
Peter Lundberg (2015)
_{^{Photo taken at Franconia Sculpture Park, 2023}}

Visiting Franconia Sculpture Park

Prepare for your Visit

Franconia is a phenomenal outdoor experience. It’s massive, wild and fun. With that in mind, prepare for this art adventure as if you are going to visit a regional park or forested area. Bring snacks, water and bug spray. Wear comfortable shoes (or boots) and dress for the weather.

For parents of small children or people who need mobility assistance, Franconia sculpture park does(seasonally) offer golf cart rental to better get around the park.

Experience at Franconia Sculpture Park

Entering Franconia Sculpture park is like stepping into a fantasy children’s book. As you traverse the park, the trails may vary between dirt, gravel, or grass. While most sculptures are visible from the main building, ‘Franconia Commons,’ others unveil themselves only through exploration. There is an entire area of the park where some of the sculptures are only fully visible within a thicket of trees.

Things to do

There’s tons to see and do at Franconia Sculpture Park. Many of the sculptures are interactive and climbable. Franconia Sculpture park regularly hosts live music, movie nights, and other events through its community arts program. All of their events are listed on their website or facebook page.

Around the Area

The St Croix Valley is rife with other interesting destinations to visit. After you’re done with Franconia Sculpture Park, you may also want to stop by:

• Gammelgården Museum in Scandia, MN
• Downtown Lindstrom, MN
• Pizza Pub in Center City, MN
• Winehaven Winery in Chisago City, MN
• Taylor’s Falls State Park

My Review of Franconia Sculpture Park

A Whimsical Experience for Outdoor Lovers

Franconia Sculpture Park is a unique place to go and a must-see for creatives who also love the outdoors. The size and scope of this park lends to a ton of variety in the sculptures, making it an enchanting place to visit and revisit. Although the location is a little out of the way, it is well worth the drive to make a fun afternoon or day out of.