 Minnehaha Park is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River within the Minnehaha Historic District . Located between Hiawatha Avenue and the Minnehaha Parkway , the park includes Minnehaha Creek with its falls and glen . The 167 @-@ acre park is divided into two main portions : an upper section above the falls , which is kept trimmed and maintained like many other city parks , and the lower 54 @-@ acre section which is for the most part allowed to maintain its natural state . The creek runs through the upper section and after it drops at the falls , it flows through the lower glen for another three @-@ fourths of a mile . 
