The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is taking another swing at closing a century-old gap in the city's cherished greenway. According to the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, an open house session has been set for the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, known as the Grand Rounds Missing Link, where the public can have their say on future trail designs.
Mark your calendars, outdoor enthusiasts. Happening at 4:30 pm on May 23 at the Market at Malcolm Yards, attendees will peek at the latest plans to bridge the notorious divide stretching from Stinson Parkway to East River Parkway. In an announcement that was made by the MPRB, the meeting will be a golden opportunity to get involved in a project that's been dodging completion for over 140 years.
Several curveballs thrown by logistics and interagency approval have dogged past initiatives, but this time might be different. The project has received a fresh injection of funds thanks to a $5.5 million allocation from the 2023 state infrastructure bill, and a policy change by the MPRB to prioritize funding for projects like the Missing Link in the regional park budget.
Yet, despite the cash bump, actual construction will be an exercise in patience; the trail's completion hinges on coordination with various landowners, including the City of Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota. As stated in the MPRB's announcement, finalizing the Missing Link will be a piece-by-piece effort expected to span the next decade.
For those unable to attend the in-person event, additional opportunities for feedback will come this summer when design concepts are floated at community events and online. The project's ultimate goal is to create a trail that's not only feasible and environmentally friendly but also weaves through neighborhoods as a welcomed asset.
To keep tabs on development or to voice ideas on opportunities or challenges along the proposed route, Minneapolis residents are encouraged to visit the Grand Rounds Missing Link Project Page. The website also offers a detailed history of the project and a platform for public commentary on design concepts.
