Minneapolis residents, get ready to switch gears and join the discussion about the newest addition to your park system: a Bike Skills Park near Minnehaha Creek. This plan is more than just your average trail—it’s an opportunity to ramp up your cycling game. Mark your calendars for a public hearing scheduled on June 18, where you can weigh in on the project that promises to deliver something for every kind of cyclist, from absolute newbies to those who dare to catch air.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is gearing up to potentially approve a plan that aims to create a cycling haven complete with progressive bike skill trails, separated by difficulty, and a variety of trail surfaces. This setup is not only designed to cater to a wide-ranging skill set but also intended to smoothly manage the maintenance needs of the park. For those just starting out, there will be a large paved beginner plaza because let's face it, everyone has to start somewhere. And for the more daring, intermediate and expert trails await.
Set to take place at the Mary Merrill Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Headquarters at 6:30 pm, the hearing will give community members the chance to go full cycle in the decision-making process. Whether you choose to show up in person or send your thoughts via email to [email protected] by 3 pm on the day of the hearing, it's a chance to pedal your perspective into the final concept plan. Interested parties can peek at the proposed plan before the meeting by visiting the MPRB website.
After the commissioners finish deliberating post-hearing, we can expect to see a call for construction bids, with work hoped to kick off later this year and wrap up in 2026. The temporary bike skills park near the Lake Nokomis Community Center will get the axe to make room for new tennis courts, another sign that the wheels of change don't stop turning for Minneapolis's outdoor spaces. The MPRB has placed its bets on a new bike skills park, aided by funding that includes a $40,000 grant from the Metropolitan Council Equity Grant Program, in addition to $264,000 from Park Dedication Fees.
The makeover for this slice of the Minnehaha Creek area is part of a broader plan that replaced poor-condition tennis courts last year in favor of more pollinator-friendly and athletic options. Clay tennis courts and a bike skills park are the rallying points for community engagement and sustainable space use, following the green print laid out in the 2020 Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail long-term plan. Those interested in the two-wheel talk have until June 18 to lend their voice to the gears of progress.
