Above the Falls - Phase I

Dominated for over a century by heavy industrial uses, the banks of the Mississippi River above St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis have, in the last decade, captured the attention of a citizenry anxious to reconnect to the world-renowned river that has so influenced this city’s history. In 2000, Above the Falls, A Master Plan for the Upper River in Minneapolis (ATF) was completed and adopted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MRPB) and the City of Minneapolis. It established a vision for the east and west banks of the Mississippi above St. Anthony Falls that called for a rich mix of land uses, allowing city residents to live and recreate along the river. The west bank portion of ATF – Phase I, was chosen for the first phase of development because it is the largest publicly-owned parcel of land along the river above St. Anthony Falls not currently occupied by other uses.

In 2005, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board completed the schematic plan for the ATF – Phase I area to include the west side of the Mississippi River, from Plymouth Avenue north to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Bridge. The schematic plan is used as a guide for future development of this three-fourths of a mile stretch of river. The plan includes many recreational elements, most notably pedestrian and bicycle trails that will connect with the existing trails to the south along James I. Rice Parkway and connect to the north at the new “Ole” Olson Park.

Other amenities will include: picnic and observation areas improved access to the river lighting and signage plazas and gateways stormwater management riverbank stabilization

For further information, contact Nick Eoloff, Project Manager, at MRPB offices (612) 230-6465, neoloff@minneapolisparks.org