Groundbreaking Event for Graco Park is Scheduled for August 14
Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 5:41AMNew Northeast Minneapolis riverfront park next to Plymouth Avenue Bridge will feature restored wildlife habitat, upgraded trail connections and intersection safety improvements, outdoor gathering spaces, and new net-zero energy park building
A groundbreaking event for Graco Park is scheduled Monday, August 14, 1-2 pm. This new 9-acre riverfront park is in Northeast Minneapolis, across from Hall's Island and just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge. The event will take place next to the intersection of Sibley Street NE and 9th Avenue NE. Free street parking available along Sibley Street NE.
Speakers include: MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura, MPRB President Meg Forney, MPRB District 1 Commissioner Billy Menz, Graco President and CEO Mark Sheahan, District 6 Met Council Member Robert Lilligren, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Executive Director Kevin Reich.
It is expected to initially open in fall 2024, with a new park building and trail underpass connection to Boom Island Park expected to open in fall 2025. Park features will include:
- A multiuse net-zero energy building with public restrooms, community space and a Spark’d Studios location.
- Native habitat restoration and stormwater management features, including a geothermal snowmelt system.
- A trail under the Plymouth Avenue Bridge that connects to Boom Island Park.
- The Mississippi East Bank Trail realigned through the park and safety upgrades at the intersection of Plymouth/8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE.
- Gathering spaces, walkways and river access.
A series of agreements reached in 2018 between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Graco Inc., which is headquartered next to the park, led to the creation of Graco Park. Grants from the Metropolitan Council and Mississippi Watershed Management Organization also helped fund park construction.
