Critical Area

The untold story of our national park's founding

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

update

April 29, 2020

You may know that the Mississippi River through the Twin Cities is a national park. But few of us know how our special river became a national park in the first place. We interviewed National Park Superintendent John Anfinson about the development proposal that started the fight to protect our park and the surprising role that this exact same site — the potential home for a new River Learning Center — could play in its future. >>

Ford Area C (video)

update

January 30, 2020

In this video, we take you to Ford Area C, Ford's toxic riverfront dumpsite in St. Paul. You’ll see the Mississippi lapping at the dumpsite’s edge. What pollution remains there? How much is leaching into our river? We still don’t know enough. >>

page

January 28, 2020

Thank you, River Guardians!

by Sophie Downey

update

December 11, 2019

Thank you, River Guardians! We deeply appreciate you advocating for clean water and sustainable and equitable development along the river this past year. >

FMR weighs in on freeway expansion near river

by Colleen O'Connor Toberman

update

December 6, 2019

A proposed redesign of Interstate 94 and Highway 252 through North Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center, and Brooklyn Park is raising questions for river lovers and environmental advocates. What's our stance? >>

Spring Lake regional park master plan open house Oct. 14

by Irene Jones

update

October 9, 2019

What's next for this special place (and FMR restoration site) on our great river? You can help decide. >>

Why Minnehaha Academy's new building blends in with the Mississippi Gorge

by Irene Jones

update

October 2, 2019

It's not often that a heated community debate about development along the Mississippi River Gorge leads to a building that fits well into this picturesque landscape, but the new addition to Minnehaha Academy does just that. It fits in so well that it's actually hard to see the new building from the parkway! This success story shows how river development can blend in with its surroundings, why it should, and why your voice is crucial in the process. >>