New trail connection between Ole Olson Park and 26th Avenue North Overlook expected to open this spring!
A new riverfront trail segment connecting Ole Olson Park and the 26th Avenue North Overlook will open soon.
This 1,000-foot trail connection extends a popular riverfront regional trail past the end of West River Road, traveling under the BNSF railroad bridge while adding new riverside experiences in North Minneapolis.
It will connect the 26th Avenue North Overlook, which opened in 2021, to the downtown riverfront and the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, the 51-mile continuous bike/walk trail that encircles most of Minneapolis. It will also connect to the off-street trail on 26th Avenue North, which travels across all of North Minneapolis between the Mississippi River and Theodore Wirth Regional Park.
Construction Update
The contractor working at Ole Olson Park experienced delays in steel delivery for a safety structure to protect trail users below the BNSF bridge. A new material for the structure’s covering is being installed. It consists of steel sheets with decorative perforations that let light in and spell out the word “Riverview” as an homage to the North Minneapolis Riverview Supper Club that once stood nearby.
Remaining Work
As soon as the site starts to thaw, other small items will be completed, such as planting native plant plugs, installing the drinking fountain and removing the construction fencing.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board understands people are excited for this project to be completed and apologizes for construction delays.
Park Development Timeline
2002: The land for Ole Olson Park (originally called Skyline Park) was acquired by the MPRB as part of Above the Falls Master Plan, which laid out a vision for acquiring more Mississippi Riverfront parkland north of St. Anthony Falls and connecting it via trail extensions.
2006: The park was officially renamed to Orvin “Ole” Olson Park. Olson was a longtime MPRB Commissioner who championed land acquisition and park development along the Minneapolis riverfront.
2007: Ole Olson Park was developed with benches and pathways.
2018: The City of Minneapolis completed a full reconstruction of 26th Avenue North, which includes an off-street trail across all of North Minneapolis that connects Theodore Wirth Regional Park, Farview Park, and the Mississippi River.
2020: The MPRB received a $3 million grant in the 2020 state infrastructure bill to help build a trail connection between the 26th Avenue North Overlook and Ole Olson Park.
2021: The 26th Avenue North Overlook was completed. The river overlook platform centers around a 35-foot-tall riverfront beacon that is lit at night during non-migratory periods.
2022: The MPRB hosts open houses, site tours, online survey and public hearing to collect feedback on the design of the new trail connection.
2023: An agreement is reached with Continental Cement Company that allows the trail on Continental property.
2024: An agreement is reached with BNSF Railway Company that allows the trail on BNSF property and under its bridge and construction begins.
2026: The new trail connection between Ole Olson Park and the 26th Avenue North Overlook is expected to open over the spring.