Mississippi National River and Recreation Area – Our Local Treasure
Monday, August 29, 2016 at 2:00AM
Story and Photos By Susan Schaefer
A rainbow frames the author’s bird’s eye of the Central Mississippi Riverfront adjacent to the University of Minnesota
National Parks Turn 100 and Mississippi Central Riverfront is Part of the Celebration
My real estate sits in a national park! No, I’m not isolated in some inaccessible Montana or Colorado back county requiring a four-wheeler or snowshoes.
My personal strip of riverfront is an official section of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, affectionately known as MNRRA (pronounced minnra), established in 1988. It’s the only national park dedicated exclusively to the Mississippi River, protecting a 72-mile, 54,000-acre corridor from the Minnesota cities of Dayton and Ramsey to just downstream at Hastings. Best of all, it includes the Central Riverfront with its abundance of nationally significant natural, historical, recreational, cultural, scenic, scientific, and economic resources.
Just last week, August 25, 2016, marked the National Park Service’s BIG 100th birthday, so I wanted to offer a pictorial tour to celebrate our national treasure located smack dab here in the Mill City area.
Every day from my perch 23 stories above the river, I marvel at this riparian splendor set in an urban location rich with history and magic. The river and riverfront evoke reverent reflection as I witness the ever-changing climate and seasons. Life here is a perpetual blessing.
And when observing from my Eagle’s Roost isn’t enough, just outside the door of my aptly named Riverview Tower, it’s easy to walk or ride for miles in either direction with this ancient rolling wonder as a watery companion.
Fog enveloping the river produces a primordial atmosphere
Ancient, Long and Rich: This Once was the Ordovician Sea!
Old Man River is fittingly named. The Mississippi River has spent at least 12,000 years carving out its trajectory. But those numbers pale in compassion to its greater geologic provenance – 450 million years ago our slice of the riverside was a part of expansive beaches of an Ordovician sea from the Paleozoic Era that covered the mid-west. Under great magnification, the sandstone cliffs that line the riverbanks along our stretch reveal lithified remains – fossils of wondrous primeval creatures and microscopic grains that have been washed clean and made perfectly round from millions of years of tidal action.
Not only ancient, our mesmerizing waterway is one of the world’s major river systems in size, habitat diversity and biological productivity. Ranking as the third longest river in North America, it flows approximately 2,350 miles from its source at Lake Itasca through the center of the continental United States to the Gulf of Mexico.
Compared to other world rivers, the Mississippi-Missouri River combination ranks fourth in length at 3,710 miles, following the 4,160 mile-long Nile, the Amazon at 4,000 miles, and the 3,964 mile-long Yangtze River.
This Park is entirely free and easily accessible
Please, come along with me for mini-tour of a short stretch of our National Park.
Running adjacent to the softball fields at the northern end of the University of Minnesota’s West Bank, just across from the Mondale Law School, 20th Avenue South joins S.1st in a steep and winding decline towards the river depositing you at the juncture of West River Road and Bohemian Flats with its bustling River Boat and canoe launch area.
The reconstructed arches of the I35 Bridge gleam on a crisp winter’s day
Heading north and up a slight incline you’ll pass under Bridge #9, then the 10th Avenue and the I35W Bridges, which sit atop of one of the now idle river lock and dams. If you veer slightly off the main path, a short trek down a little used winding footpath takes you directly under the infamous I35 Bridge, which collapsed in 2007, to the riverbank.
The “I35W Bridge Remembrance Garden” features 13 pillars in memory of each person who died in the 2007 bridge collapse and a wall inscribed: "Our lives are not only defined by what happens, but by how we act in the face of it, not only by what life brings us, but by what we bring to life. Selfless actions and compassion create enduring community out of tragic events"
A short distance from the new bridge is the memorial dedicated to the victims of the 2007 collapse of the I35W Bridge that shook Minnesota and the world. A glistening granite wall is etched with the names of the 171 survivors. The wall backs 13 towering I-beams each inscribed with the name of one of the deceased that stretch 81 feet – a symbolic tribute to the date 8/1.
The 53-meter long Guthrie Theater cantilevered bridge is a unique architectural feature providing stunning views of the Mill City, St. Anthony Falls and St. Anthony Main on the opposite bank
Continuing along the trail you’ll soon pass the architecturally unique Guthrie Theater, which is free and open to the public providing stunning views the surrounding area, not to mention excellent performances from three world-class stages.
Magical views from inside the Guthrie are all part of our urban river park
Once you’ve viewed the river from the Guthrie, it’s worthwhile to take a short jaunt below grade at the Stone Arch Bridge where another magical scene awaits you.
Beneath the curving Stone Arch Bridge lies a grotto-kingdom of former industrial ruins
For the end of this tour you’re invited to come back above to stroll across the Stone Arch Bridge.
Naturally, St. Anthony Falls is the huge attraction, but for those who seek a less known view, keep to the north side of the bridge just past the falls and look down for a storybook ending to this tour.
Looking down to the banks at northeastern edge of the Stone Arch Bridge is a scene reminiscent of a Japanese woodcut
I hope you’ve enjoyed our little tour. The wonders continue in every direction, but by now you’ve earned a respite, so check out the numerous cafés, restaurants and bars that truly set this National Park apart. If you like, please share it with your friends. We love visitors!
