Downtown St. Paul is about to throw a riverfront party. Next Saturday, May 30, the city will officially cut the ribbon on the new Downtown Riverwalk with a free, family-friendly celebration from 1–4 p.m. The roughly two-mile loop reconnects downtown to the Mississippi River and ties together parks, plazas, and river overlooks in the middle of the city. Organizers say the opening party will bring live music, guided walks, lawn games, and local food to the riverfront for visitors of all ages.
Where the Riverwalk Runs
The Downtown Riverwalk stretches roughly two miles from the Science Museum of Minnesota on the west to Union Depot on the east, tracing Shepard and Kellogg boulevards and stitching together public spaces like Kellogg Mall Park, Upper Landing, and Lower Landing. As outlined by the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy, the loop is designed to pull downtown residents, workers, and visitors back to the water with new programming and interpretive signage along the way.
When and Where to Show Up
The City of Saint Paul Parks & Recreation lists the Riverwalk inauguration at Kellogg Mall Park from 1–4 p.m. on May 30 and describes it as a public celebration. According to the city's events calendar, attendees can look for scheduled guided walks and live music throughout the afternoon, plus family-oriented activities set up on the Mall Plaza near the river bluff.
Program, Partners, and Registration
Organizers say the kickoff lineup will feature local musicians, guided history and nature walks, family games, and a selection of food vendors with items for sale. Per the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy's events page, registration for the opening is free and handled through the conservancy's online event listing. Production partners and funders named by organizers include the Knight Foundation, Securian, Ecolab, and others, and the announcement was shared by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation on Facebook.
Why the Riverwalk Matters
The Riverwalk is part of a broader push to knit downtown St. Paul back to the Mississippi and to keep the riverfront active year-round. Planners and local groups describe the loop as a low-cost, high-impact way to boost pedestrian life, support nearby development projects, and create more consistent programming in downtown parks. As outlined by St. Paul Riverfront, the Riverwalk is meant to complement longer-term efforts like the River Balcony and RiversEdge initiatives.
Getting There
The opening celebration centers on Kellogg Mall Park, a short walk from Union Depot and the Green Line for anyone arriving by train. For schedules, detailed programming, and accessibility information, visitors are directed to check the City of Saint Paul's events calendar or the conservancy's event listing mentioned above.
