parks

parks
Concert venue, riverwalks — What should become of this retired Mpls port?

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Calling all river and park lovers:  Help shape the future of this 48-acre riverfront site in Minneapolis!

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A schematic of the UHT site provided by in the development team proposal
Crown Hydro is back, but can it stand up to a new and exciting civic proposal?

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Amidst strong community opposition, Crown Hydro continues to pursue its proposal for a new hydroelectric plant near the Stone Arch Bridge. One group is fighting back with an alternative idea to use the now-closed St. Anthony Falls Lock as an interpretive center and meeting space.

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The newly proposed Falls Park and Visitor Center
DNR supports key FMR-sought protections for metro river corridor

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During the final phase of developing updated rules for the Mississippi River Critical Area, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommended a number of positive changes in response to comments from FMR staff and advocates.

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Volunteers plant pollinator patches aplenty

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What can a small planting of milkweed and other natives really do for pollinators? More than you might think. 

Hastings Environmental Protectors and FMR teamed up to create three new pollinator patches, helping to provide much-needed habitat for a variety of insect and pollinating species in the Vermillion and Mississippi river watersheds.

 

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An FMR Vermillion Stewards volunteer plants a pollinator patch.
Brown-Bag Lunch: Reconnecting North Mpls to the Mighty Mississippi

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As more North Minneapolis riverfront is slated to become parkland, it's important to ensure that new parks and trails are truly accessible to Northside residents. To do this, connections between the community and the riverfront parkland (such as the Broadway bridge over I-94, pictured above) must be improved.

FMR has been working with a researcher from CURA to study Northsiders’ barriers to river access as well as possible ways to overcome them. Join us for a brown-bag lunch featuring a presentation of our findings and discussion about the barriers and opportunities to reconnect North Minneapolis neighborhoods and the Mississippi River.

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The desolate and congested West Broadway bridge over I-94 looking towards the Mississippi River
Reconnecting North Mpls to its riverfront

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Currently, the majority of North's residents must make their way over Interstate-94 and through a wall of industry to see and enjoy their riverfront. FMR is working to understand these barriers and identify opportunities to reconnect Northside residents to their Mississippi River. As more of this riverfront transforms from industrial use to parks and trails — changes that FMR has long advocated — we must work hard to ensure that current and future riverfront parks are accessible to area residents. 

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The desolate West Broadway bridge over I-94
'Rebirth: The Mississippi's National Park' (Video)

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Produced for FMR by award-winning local filmmakers John Kaul and Tom Reiter, and narrated by Minnesota Public Radio's Steve Seel, this 30-minute documentary tells the story of how one man’s vision — combined with smart citizen advocacy and effective political leadership — created the Mississippi River's first and only national park right here in the Twin Cities. Enjoy the film online, request a copy for your local library, school or organization. 

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Upcoming Events

Three options: October 20, October 28, November 22, 2025
Hidden Falls Regional Park, St. Paul
Saturday, October 25, 2025 - 9:00am to 12:00pm
3M's oak woodlands, Cottage Grove
Now through October 26, 2025, dawn to 11 p.m.
Raspberry Island, St. Paul