Bike enthusiasts and nature lovers in Dakota County have good reason to celebrate as the final stretch of the Mississippi River Greenway nears completion. In a ceremony on October 22, Dakota County officials commemorated the last segment, a 2-mile connection that promises to seamlessly link Hastings to St. Paul along the scenic river route. Despite some remaining construction, the highly anticipated passageway is slated to officially open come November, as detailed by Dakota County's announcement.
Once complete, the trail will provide a continuous 28-mile stretch for folks to walk or bike through, cutting across six riverside communities. Dakota County Commissioner Mike Slavik expressed excitement about the prospects of the greenway, noting in a statement obtained by Dakota County that “This will be a wonderful connection for walkers, for bikers, for park visitors and our communities all along the greenway." The route also promises to boost access to local businesses, schools, parks, and natural spots along its path.
The Mississippi River Greenway is particularly special for whizzing by Spring Lake Park Reserve, where the county's bison herd roams and visitors can catch stunning blufftop river vistas. This greenway doesn't just offer a pretty face, but also serves up an improved sense of safety. Commissioner Bill Droste highlighted the addition of safety features such as an underpass and enhanced railroad crossings, affirming “It's important to all of our communities."
Realizing this project wasn't a solitary effort—it was buoyed by a $6.7 million federal funding infusion and bolstered further by $1.9 million in bipartisan state support. “I am just so extraordinarily grateful to have been part of that federal partnership, working with the state, to be able to bring these kinds of dollars back to our community," U.S. Rep. Angie Craig told Dakota County. The successful completion of the greenway also required substantial local backing, Dakota County Board Chair Joe Atkins emphasized, crediting the partnership with city officials as crucial to the project's fruition.
With the greenway's landscape soon to open fully, it will offer not just an uninterrupted journey along the iconic Mississippi, but also a testament to the enduring power of collaborative community action in shaping public spaces that invite, unite, and inspire.
