Minneapolis residents with a penchant for two-wheeled adventures will soon have a new stomping ground to fine-tune their bike skills. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is revving up plans for a bike skills park near Minnehaha Creek and 34th Avenue S. Keen to have a say? Saddle up for some community engagement opportunities before this project pedals forward.
To start with, grab a virtual pen and fill out an online survey or download a worksheet to pitch your own design ideas for the park. MPRB is not just asking, but genuinely wants to hear your best thoughts. Got time to go in person? The in-person Open House set for March 13, from 6-7:30 pm at Lake Nokomis Community Center, could be just the ticket. Or, if you prefer to join from the comfort of home, click in to the online Open House on March 18, 5:30-6:30 pm. And be sure to do it quick, because feedback will be collected throughout spring to shape the final blueprint.
This isn't just any run-of-the-mill recreational add-on; it's a targeted revamp with an eye on the community's pulse. Breaking ground could happen as early as this fall, post the brainstorming and approval phases. And as the bike park takes shape, the former temporary park across the way at Lake Nokomis Community Center will make way for a renovation of the tennis courts, which will serve to further spruce up local amenities.
The backstory here paints a picture of strategic re-purposing. The dilapidated tennis courts that once stood forlorn near the intersection of 30th Avenue S and Minnehaha Parkway were removed in 2024. Out with the old, in with the eco-friendly — a pollinator lawn has since been planted, with the MPRB and Minneapolis Community Clay Courts gearing up to introduce clay courts to the mix. And now, with a nifty $40,000 from the Metropolitan Council Equity Grant Program, plus a fair $264,000 chunk in Park Dedication Fees, the bike park is securely on the trail to becoming reality.
The master plan, which casts a vision for a revitalized Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail including the changes along 34th Avenue S, had been chiseled out back in 2020. This latest project milestone is just another spoke in the wheel of that broader vision, transforming outdated tennis courts into a haven for biking aficionados and park-goers alike. To learn more about the bike park or to contribute ideas, hop onto the MPRB's online resources and, well, get involved.
