Minneapolis native Liz Olney has undertaken a journey that most city dwellers only dream of: walking the entirety of their own town. Olney's latest conquest, Bloomington, marks the eighth city where she has achieved this feat. Through her steps, Olney has delved into the heart of each community, uncovering layers unknown to the average visitor or even resident.
Her inspiration came from a fellow wanderer back in 2018 who was walking through the neighborhoods of Minneapolis. Intrigued by the idea, Olney embarked on her own pedestrian journey, which has since seen her complete cities like St. Paul, Edina, Richfield, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, and West St. Paul. Olney's expeditions have not only been about completion but also connection. "I was really surprised. I had no idea how green Bloomington is,” she told Bloomington's official website. “There are so many parks, so many lakes. Several times when I was walking in Bloomington, I paused and thought to myself, ‘Gosh, I wouldn’t mind living in Bloomington.’”
Starting her Bloomington journey in April 2023, Olney completed her ambitious goal in October after covering over 500 miles in about 85 walks. She described her method as a blend of "high tech and low tech," relying on both physical maps and applications to navigate her course. This systematic approach ensured she left no road untraveled, no alley unexplored.
Olney's experiences are chronicled through her two Instagram accounts, @mplsmurals and @mplsstpaulsidewalkart, where she shares discoveries from her treks around Minneapolis and the broader Twin Cities.
