Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan Update: Preferred concepts debut May 30; five public meetings scheduled in June

Preferred concept for each park segment will be published May 30; Discuss concepts at five public meetings in June

he Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has received a lot of great feedback since it published initial proposed long-term plans for improving and managing Minnehaha Creek and the parkway, parkland and trails adjacent to it through Minneapolis last winter.

Initial design concepts for the entire corridor were published for public feedback over last winter/spring. Each concept contains ideas relating to:

  • Trail and parkway realignment
  • Stormwater infrastructure and potential creek re-meanders
  • Natural resource management areas
  • Creek access points
  • Recreational amenities
  • Precedent (example) images to demonstrate ideas

On Thursday, May 30, 2019, the MPRB will publish the next round of designs for the Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan. Called “preferred concepts,” these drawings are based on extensive community engagement and the in-depth discussions that occurred at public meetings held to review the first round of drawings.

The preferred concepts will be available online at minneapolisparks.org/minnehahacreek, along with a new online survey for public comment on these design ideas.

The preferred concepts, though likely much closer to community desires, can still be changed. A series of meetings have been scheduled so the CAC and general public can discuss them and suggest revisions. See the full schedule below for details.


Meeting Schedule

All meetings are open to the public and anyone interested in the refinement of these park concepts is encouraged to attend!

Snacks, refreshments and passive children’s activities are provided. Please contact Cindy Anderson at 612-230-6472 or canderson@minneapolisparks.org to request language, access or interpretation accommodations.

CAC Meeting #6

Date: Thursday, June 13, 2019
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Lake Nokomis Community Center
Address: 2401 E Minnehaha Parkway
Topic: The first conversation on the preferred concepts. The CAC and public will provide guidance to the design team on areas that have consensus and areas that need additional design work or discussion.

Lynnhurst Subcommittee Meeting #1

Date: Monday, June 17, 2019
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Location: Lynnhurst Recreation Center
Address: 1345 W Minnehaha Parkway
Topic: Review and discuss the area around Lynnhurst Park, which is affected by both the Minnehaha Creek Master Plan and Southwest Minneapolis Parks Plan.

Preferred Concept Site Visits

Date: Saturday, June 22, 2019
Time: 9 am-noon
Location: Three site visits: Lynnhurst Recreation Center, Minnehaha Parkway under Nicollet Bridge, Minnehaha Parkway and Portland Avenue
Topic: Visit key sites with the most complexity, preferred concepts in hand, in order to better understand the designs. We will meet at Lynnhurst at 9 am, Nicollet Bridge at 10 am, and Parkway/Portland at 11 am.

Lynnhurst Subcommittee Meeting #2

Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Time: 5-6 pm
Location: Lynnhurst Recreation Center
Address: 1345 W Minnehaha Parkway
Topic: Review of revised designs for the Lynnhurst Area, with possible recommendation moving forward that applies to both the Minnehaha Creek Master Plan and the Southwest Minneapolis Parks Plan.

CAC Meeting #7

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2019
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Lake Nokomis Community Center
Address: 2401 E Minnehaha Parkway
Topic: Further discussion and review of preferred concepts, including any recommended changes since CAC #6. Possible recommendation if CAC is comfortable with designs.

CAC Meeting #8 *IF NECESSARY

Date: Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Time: 6-8 pm
Location: Lynnhurst Recreation Center
Address: 1345 W Minnehaha Parkway


Southwest Parks Plan

If you’re interested in the Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan, you may also be interested in the Southwest Service Area Master Plan (called Southwest Parks Plan for short), which will create a cohesive set of long-term plans for 43 neighborhood park properties in Southwest Minneapolis, as well as suggestions for new park properties and connections.

The Southwest Parks Plan will also debut preferred park concepts for a round of public feedback on May 30, with public meetings scheduled in June and July. Follow the link below for more information on that project.

Southwest Parks Plan Project Page