Minneapolis residents who enjoy a good stroll or bike ride have reason to look forward to the summer. A new segment of the riverfront trail, linking Ole Olson Park and the 26th Avenue North Overlook, is slated to swing open its proverbial gates, providing a smooth, scenic conduit for outdoor enthusiasts, as reported by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
The 1,000-foot addition promises to bridge a gap in the continuous riverfront regional trail, offering trailblazers new vistas along their North Minneapolis journeys. This new path will not only couple the 2021-completed Overlook with downtown's riverfront and the 51-mile Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway but will also hook up with the thoroughfare on 26th Avenue North, which, by the way, ambles across the expanse of North Minneapolis between the Mississippi River and Theodore Wirth Regional Park.
However, eager trail-goers will need to hold their horses a little longer. Steel deliveries, essential for a safety structure beneath the BNSF railroad bridge, have run late, pushing back timelines. This critical component is non-negotiable for trail safety, and "the trail connection will not open until it's fully installed," according to the Park Board's recent bulletin.
While the steel's being set up, a new water connection is also disrupting the dirt at West River Road, earmarked for a drinking fountain destined for Ole Olson Park. Local vehicles will still have the green light during roadworks, but those driving by should dial down the speed, abide by construction zones set out and adhere to posted signs.
Even beyond the imminent delivery and assembly of steel, the to-do list before we can herald the trail's opening isn't exactly short. Readjusting land beneath the railroad bridge, wrapping up electrical work, pouring concrete for sidewalks and community spaces, paving the asphalt biking trail, and greening the space with trees, shrubs, plus native seeds and sprouts all remain on the checklist. Although community members might be itching to set foot—or tire—on the pathway, it'll only be available as soon as it's safe for people to use, possibly before the entire punch list is complete.
The Park Board's long-term vision for this trail dates back to 2002 with the Above the Falls Master Plan, eyeing the enhancement of Minneapolis' riverside accessibility and attractiveness. Since then, there's been a steady clip of development, charitable state grants, public engagement initiatives, and fruitful negotiations with surrounding property owners, all of which have marched this project ever closer to fruition.
Keeping it simple here: the community wants it, the builders are on it, and this summer, Minneapolis will likely celebrate another win for public pathways and the promotion of outdoor recreation. Steel yourself for a new summer hotspot, Minneapolitans. It's coming—to the tune of trees rustling, bicycles whirring, and waters lapping along the Mississippi River. Just hang tight a smidge longer.
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