Potential Concepts for Graco Park, New Riverfront Park Project in Northeast Minneapolis
Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 3:54AM
A view of Hall's Island, Plymouth Avenue Bridge and East Bank Trail running through the future Graco Park. Image courtesy of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.
Review and comment on three concepts created based on feedback received over the summer
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a new park along the Northeast Minneapolis riverfront called Graco Park! This summer MPRB staff collected initial feedback from the community and researched opportunities and constraints at the site, which is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge with Mississippi East Bank Trail currently running through it.
Now three distinct design concepts for Graco Park, created based on the initial feedback and research, are available for public comment. Use the link below to view each concept and comment on what you like or don't like about them.
Feedback will be used to generate a refined concept that will incorporate elements from all three designs. The refined concept will be shared in late fall 2021.
Each concept is unique, but all include:
- A public multiuse building
- Access to the Mississippi East Bank Trail
- Improved landscaping and greenspace
- Improved stormwater treatment
- Improved intersection safety near 8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE
Get Involved
The MPRB invites anyone interested in the Graco Park project to give feedback on the three park concepts. There are multiple ways to get involved:
Online Survey: Visit the project engagement page to find images and information about the project and concepts, along with prompts to share your thoughts and opinions. All submitted ideas and comments will be documented and considered as designs for the project are developed. The survey will be open until Sept. 26, 2021.
In-Person Event: Share your thoughts in person at Graco Park on Sunday, Sept. 12, 3-5 pm. Look for the MPRB tent and table!
Virtual Conversation: Join MPRB staff and community members for an online open house on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 4:30-6 pm. Use the Zoom link below to join:
Graco Park Zoom Link Meeting ID: 883 7023 0432
Phase 1 Recap
The first round of community engagement occurred June 7-July 7, 2021. During the first round of engagement, MPRB staff met with more than 100 potential park users across several engagements and collected more than 170 comments through an online survey. Engagements included: Neighborhood meetings, Pop-Ups in Graco Park, a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting, a virtual Public Open House, intercept interviews in the park, and a Youth Engagement Bus Tour with 60+ youth.
Visit the project engagement page for more details on the feedback received during the first phase over the summer.
Down the Road
A third round of engagement will occur this fall with another survey and additional in-person events to share a preferred park and building design concept for feedback. The final concept will have a public hearing before being considered by MPRB Commissioners for final approval. Contract bidding is scheduled spring 2022, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2022.
Visit the Graco Park and Lot 2 project page and enter your email address into the box under "Subscribe to Email Updates" to stay informed about this project.
