Graco Park Update
Friday, February 21, 2025 at 4:14PMVia a February 21 update from Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
The River Hub at Graco Park in October 2024
Plymouth Avenue Bridge closes April 21-August 22 to build trail connection to Boom Island Park
New park building named The River Hub at Graco Park opens this spring
The next phases of Graco Park hit big milestones this spring! The new nine-acre Northeast Minneapolis riverfront park will debut a 4,000-square-foot park building named “The River Hub at Graco Park” this spring and open a new trail connection under Plymouth Avenue to Boom Island Park in the fall.
Construction is already underway on the trail connection, which will close Plymouth Avenue Bridge for four months beginning April 21, 2025.
The River Hub at Graco Park
The River Hub at Graco Park is expected to open by the end of April. Its address is 810 Sibley St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. Hours will be Wednesday-Friday, 3-8:30 pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-6 pm.
The River Hub is designed as a place for people to enjoy and appreciate the Mississippi River, with opportunities for environmental education, art and technology programs, and performances and events supporting the local arts community. Building features include a Spark’d Studios location, the Riverview Room, which can accommodate 50-150 people with large doors opening toward the Mississippi River, a conference room that can accommodate up to eight people, a welcome lobby, and public restrooms.
The building is considered “Net Zero,” which is an ultra-low energy structure that consumes only as much power as can be generated onsite by clean, renewable resources. This is achieved through an energy efficient design, rooftop solar panels, and geothermal energy system. All windows have a reflective coating to reduce bird-glass collisions in the Mississippi Flyway.
A Grand Opening event is planned this spring! More information on that will be shared once details are finalized.
Youth experiement with green screen video technology at Whittier Park Spark'd Studios
Spark’d Studios at Graco Park
Spark’d Studios are new spaces in Minneapolis park buildings that help young people build creative skills and career readiness through free multimedia arts programs, access to technology, and mentorship from creative professionals. The River Hub will host the fourth of six planned Spark’d Studios locations.
Spark’d Studios at Graco Park will offer an exciting array of top-of-the-line creative equipment:
- Recording booth for audio projects and music production
- Laser cutter and engraver
- 3D printer
- Video and photography equipment
- Mac laptop and desktop computers with creative design software
- Gaming station for multi-player tournaments
- Crafting area for hands-on STEAM and mixed media projects
Follow Spark’d Studios on Instagram or YouTube to learn about upcoming programs and view youth-directed projects!
An illustration shows a new bridge over the Boom Island Marina heading north into a trail underpass connecting to Graco Park
Boom Island Trail Connection
Construction has begun on a trail connection between Graco Park and Boom Island Park under Plymouth Avenue. When this work is complete, people will be able to run, walk, or roll seamlessly on a completely off-road riverside trail that connects Sheridan Memorial Park, Graco Park, Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island.
Plymouth Avenue Bridge will close on Monday, April 21, 2025, and is scheduled to remain closed through Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. City of Minneapolis Public Works will also perform bridge maintenance during this time.
Safety improvements to the intersection of Plymouth Avenue and Sibley Street NE will be constructed as part of this project. Sidewalk bump-outs will narrow the distance to cross Plymouth Avenue and a flashing beacon will be added to alert vehicles to people crossing the street.
At Boom Island Park, a new bridge will be built over the Boom Island Marina and paths will be realigned leading up to the underpass. The Boom Island Marina will be closed throughout 2025 to accommodate construction activities. People can launch watercraft on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis at North Mississippi Regional Park while the Boom Island Marina is closed.
Graco Park Features
Graco Park opened in September 2024. The nine-acre park is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge, between Boom Island Park and Graco Inc. headquarters. It includes Hall’s Island, which was restored in 2018, plus new trails and walkways, a river landing, large, artistic “Timber Markers” that pay homage to the site’s storied logging history, picnic tables, and gathering spaces surrounded by hundreds of new trees and plants.
In 2018, the MPRB reached a series of agreements with Graco Inc. that resulted in Graco Park. The agreements allowed the park to be constructed much earlier than it could have through traditional park funding mechanisms.
The Scherer Bros Lumber Co property shortly after it was purchased by the MPRB in 2010
Site History
2010: The MPRB purchased the 11-acre riverfront site from Scherer Bros Lumber Co. The former lumberyard was cleaned up and industrial buildings and asphalt were replaced with grass over the next few years.
2016: The Mississippi East Bank Trail was paved through the site. This riverfront trail extension connects Boom Island Park, Graco Park and Sheridan Memorial Park before terminating at the BNSF railroad bridge, in the 1600 block of Marshall Street NE.
2017-18: A project restored Hall's Island, which was eliminated by lumber yard expansion in the 1960s, and created a new gravel river beach.
2018: The MPRB and Graco Inc. reached several agreements that resulted in Graco Park.
2021: MPRB staff collected feedback from the community, researched opportunities and constraints at the site and created a series of Graco Park design concepts for public feedback.
April 2022: The final park concept was approved by MPRB Commissioners after a public hearing.
September 2022: Grading and earthwork began to prepare site for park construction.
August 2023: A groundbreaking ceremony commemorated the beginning of park construction.
September 2024: The outdoor elements of the park opened to the public.
Winter 2024-25: Construction began on a trail underpass connecting Graco Park and Boom Island Park.
Spring 2025: The River Hub at Graco Park opens.
Fall 2025: A trail underpass connecting Graco Park and Boom Island Park is scheduled to open.
