Park Rapids is a city in and the county seat of Hubbard County, Minnesota, United States. It is near Itasca State Park, the source of the Mississippi River, as well as the beginning of the Heartland State Trail. The city was founded in 1890 near the Fish Hook River rapids and is along U.S. Highway 71 and Minnesota State Highway 34. The population was 4,142 at the 2020 census.

History

thumb|left|Steam hauler moving logs along snow on skidsThe land that is now Park Rapids was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Ojibwe (Chippewa) people, who still have a significant presence in the region. Park Rapids became a city in 1882, and was named by Frank C. Rice after the park groves and prairies beside the Fish Hook River rapids. These rapids have since been dammed.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Park Rapids and the surrounding Hubbard County area have three major transportation services. South of the city center at 212 W. 2nd Street is Park Rapids Municipal Airport (officially Konshok Field), a general aviation airport. According to the FAA, the airfield is publicly owned by the City of Park Rapids. Also serving the Park Rapids and Hubbard County area for ground transportation is the Hubbard County Heartland Express bus service and a local taxi service. The closest commercial airport is Bemidji Regional Airport, which is served only by Delta Connection flights to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, about 200 miles from Park Rapids.

Major highways

U.S. Highway 71 and Minnesota State Highway 34 are two of the main routes through Park Rapids. Highway 34 was expanded in 2008 into a five-lane route through the city. Downtown Main Avenue has street "center parking". Highway 71 and Main Street were reconstructed during the summer of 2009.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of , of which is land and is water. The Fish Hook River flows through the city, which is surrounded by three lakes: Fish Hook, Long, and Potato.

Climate

Park Rapids has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dwb), with warm summers and long, cold snowy winters.

Demographics

thumb|Hubbard County Courthouse