Entry No. 43 — the Minneapolis file — filed under: outdoor
Cottontail on the Trail
A giant, 1,500-pound bronze rabbit lounging in the grass along the Minnehaha Creek trail, designed by sculptor Jeff Barber.
The story
Sprawled in the turf at Portland Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway sits a 1,500-pound, nine-foot-long bronze lagomorph. Sculpted by Jeff Barber and officially titled Cottontail on the Trail, the piece was installed as part of Minneapolis's public art program, but South Minneapolis residents quickly hijacked it into a living neighborhood mascot—and renamed it the Minnehaha Bunny.
What keeps the heavy bronze piece interesting isn't just its scale, but its ongoing guerrilla styling. Neighbors treat the giant hare like a shared yard pet, dressing it according to the weather and calendar. Pass by after a winter blizzard and you'll find it wrapped in hand-knit scarves and ski caps; roll past in warmer months and it might be wearing sunglasses, flower crowns, or holiday gear left behind by anonymous locals.
What it's like
Whether you bike the parkway trail, jog along the creek, or snowshoe past in mid-winter, the bunny works as a prime rest landmark. Expect to see kids climbing onto its bronze back, dogs giving its ears a quick sniff, and locals pausing to check what wardrobe changes happened overnight. It takes under five minutes to appreciate, but it's an essential pit stop on a creek loop. If you pull over for a drink at the nearby park pump fountain, be warned: the water comes out ice-cold, but carries a distinctly metallic, iron taste.
The move: Bike along the scenic Minnehaha Parkway trail and stop to see what seasonal outfits or accessories local residents have dressed the giant bunny in.
- 📍 South Minneapolis
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 4978 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Salt Cave Minneapolis — Located just half a mile north, this glowing pink salt sanctuary is the natural indoor refuge after a frosty winter snowshoe trip to see the bunny.
- Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC) — Go from admiring Jeff Barber's heavy cast-bronze rabbit to visiting a community workshop where local artisans bend metal with heat and flame.
- Rockman Sculptures at Federal Courthouse Plaza — Turn your outing into a public bronze sculpture tour by contrasting South Minneapolis's lazy neighborhood hare with Tom Otterness's whimsical figures downtown.
Good to know
Where along the parkway is the sculpture located?
It sits in the grass right alongside the Minnehaha Creek trail at 4978 Portland Avenue (the corner of Portland Ave and Minnehaha Parkway) in South Minneapolis.
How large is the bunny?
The bronze sculpture stretches nine feet long and weighs approximately 1,500 pounds.
When can you visit?
Because it sits in an open public park along the trail, it is accessible 24/7 year-round with no admission fee.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Atlas Obscura · Wikipedia · therightfits.com · spokesman-recorder.com · midwestweekends.com
last checked: 2026-07-21