Project Location

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

Location Map

Project Manager

Carrie Christensen
Senior Planner
Phone: 612-230-6540
Email: cchristensen@minneapolisparks.org

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Language Resources

Correo Electrónico: preguntas@minneapolisparks.org

Email: suaalo@minneapolisparks.org

Status

Current Phase: Planning/Construction
Construction: Construction will begin on the Ridgway Parkway overlook and trail in the spring of 2015.

The route will be designed and constructed on an incremental basis over the next five years based on interagency coordination efforts.

What's New

Request for Qualifications issued for Grand Rounds Missing Link Design and Engineering Services

Proposals due November 3, 2023 at 3 pm

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Grand Rounds Missing Link

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Grand Rounds Missing Link is a 140-year trail gap in the Grand Rounds of Minneapolis that stretches from East River Road and Franklin […]

Public hearing scheduled March 6 for long-term plan for all neighborhood parks in NE/SE Minneapolis

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will host a public hearing on the East of the River Park Master Plan on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, 6:30 pm in the […]

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Timeline

Project History

April 20, 2015

  • Construction starts on the parking lot and trail at Ridgway Parkway

Spring 2015

  • Construction will begin on the Ridgway Parkway overlook and trail

October 10, 2013

  • Public meeting – finalize the design of a proposed overlook plaza on Ridgway Parkway, near the existing parking lot

March 20, 2013

  • A public hearing was held regarding the proposed Ridgway Parkway trail and overlook improvements

January 30, 2013

January 15, 2013

  • Information presented at the public open house meeting

September 19, 2012

  • Board Action – MPRB approves Professional Services Agreement with HNTB Corporation to prepare preliminary engineering and environmental clearance documents for improvements to Ridgway Parkway in NE Minneapolis

September 18, 2012 – Windom Park Citizens in Action

September 3, 2008

  • MPRB approves the Grand Rounds Missing Link route alignment

June 2007

  • Missing Link study phase begins

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Community Engagement

The Missing Link study phase has been ongoing since June 2007. A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) acted as liaisons with their respective communities, sponsored several public open houses and developed the recommended route.

The community input process evaluated proposed routes and designs, studied neighborhood impact, connectivity to existing and proposed bicycle and pedestrian routes, park and open spaces, and transportation corridors. Three open houses in June and July 2008 were held to receive public comments on the proposed alignment.

Ridgway Parkway

Preferred design for the overlook [PDF]

Past Meetings

October 10, 2013 – Public Meeting

  • Finalize the design of a proposed overlook plaza on Ridgway Parkway, near the existing parking lot

March 20, 2013 – Public Hearing Summary

January 15, 2013 – Open House Summary

September 18, 2012 – Windom Park Citizens in Action Presentation [PDF]

2008 – Missing Link Development Study Summary

June 2007-May 2008 – More Documents

Upcoming Meetings

There are currently no meetings scheduled. Check back or enter your email address above to subscribe and get notified of new meetings.

Background and Funding

In 1883 Cleveland, a landscape architect, took his idea for a continuous “green necklace” of parkways and open space around Minneapolis to the newly-formed Board of Park Commissioners. Over the decades it grew link by link to become the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway that today it features over 50 miles of parkway, bicycle and pedestrian trails and park amenities, and attracts over 14 million visits each year.

However, a three-mile gap remains in the area north of I-94 and east of the Mississippi River. Plans for completing the Missing Link were prepared in 1910, 1918, 1930 and 1939, but with no success.

In 2007 the MPRB’s Comprehensive Plan designated completion of the Missing Link as a major initiative and work began anew.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board of Commissioners (MPRB) unanimously approved the Grand Rounds Missing Link route alignment on Sept. 3, 2008, the 125-year-old vision of Horace Cleveland took a major step forward.