Public Hearing on Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan Scheduled for June 26

Via a June 19 e-announcement from Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Mississippi Gorge Regional Park includes the trails and green space along West and East River Parkways in Minneapolis between Bohemian Flats and Minnehaha Regional Park

Public hearing set for Wednesday, June 26 at Mary Merrill Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Headquarters

A public hearing on the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan is scheduled at 6:30 pm during the regular Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners meeting Wednesday, June 26, 2019, 6:30 pm at Mary Merrill MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West River Road. 

The Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan creates a new long-term vision for 132 acres of beautiful riverfront parkland between Bridge 9 (Dinkytown Greenway bridge) and Minnehaha Regional Park. 

The master plan is split into ten sections, which are linked below. It's also available on the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan project page, in the right column under "Key Documents." 

Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan

Table of Contents and Acknowledgements

Chapter  1 – Introduction

Chapter  2 – Park Conditions, Analysis, and Opportunities

Chapter  3 – Visitor Demand

Chapter  4 – Public Engagement

Chapter  5 – Vision and Guiding Principles

Chapter  6 – Master Plan Recommendations

Chapter  7 – Design Guidelines

Chapter  8 – Interpretation and Public Art

Chapter  9 – Implementation

Chapter 10 – References and Appendix

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East River Flats Park near the University of Minnesota East Bank Campus is part of the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan

Process and Next Steps

The plan was shaped through months of in-depth community engagement that included hosting and attending numerous public meetings, open houses and focus groups, online and in-person surveys, feedback from technical and project advisory committees, and eight Community Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings. The CAC was comprised of 21 members of the public appointed by MPRB staff and commissioners, City Council Members, local neighborhood associations and the University of Minnesota Student Government.

A draft of the plan opened for a 45-day public comment period on Jan. 25, 2019 after more than a year of in-depth community engagement and design work. The comment period closed March 10, 2019. Since then, MPRB staff and consultants worked to refine the plan in response to comments from the park users and stakeholder groups.

After the public hearing, commissioners on the Planning Committee will consider approval of the plan. If approved, it will move to the full Board of Commissioners for final approval at the next Board meeting, scheduled Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at Mary Merrill MPRB Headquarters.

The park concepts linked above are also available on the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park Master Plan project page under “Key Documents” in the right column.