The St. Cloud metropolitan area first opened up to settlers in 1851 and was incorporated in 1856 with three different settlements-Upper Town, Middle Town, and Lower Town. The city is famous for its well-maintained parks, serene landscapes and public spaces, and community empowerment through arts, culture and heritage.

St. Cloud is home to 96 parks, including Whitney Memorial Park. It is the largest developed park in St. Cloud and was formerly the city’s airport. In addition, there’s a recreation center for senior citizens, numerous sporting fields, and a dog park.

In 2016, the metropolitan area of St. Cloud was recognized for its efforts toward renewable energy, with rapid growth from 5% to 80% in just three years. St. Cloud is truly a clean and pleasant city using street light improvements, solar gardens, biogas, and energy efficiency initiatives.

Did you know St. Cloud derived its name from the Saint-Cloud suburb in Paris, France, where Napoleon had his favorite palace? The town that first opened to settlers in 1851 now has a population of about 200,000.