parks

Mystery building near Lake Street Bridge to reduce odors, but stands to be improved

by Alicia Uzarek

article

December 12, 2016

A number of Mississippi Messages readers have contacted us since the leaves fell from the trees about a new building on the river located just north of Minneapolis' Lake Street bridge. We investigated and have some answers, as well as several related questions and concerns.

by Alicia Uzarek

article

November 7, 2016

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

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?

by Irene Jones

article

October 19, 2016

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.

The newly proposed Falls Park and Visitor Center

DNR supports key FMR-sought protections for metro river corridor

by Irene Jones

article

September 12, 2016

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.

Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area

Volunteers plant pollinator patches aplenty

by Adam Flett

article

August 8, 2016

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.

An FMR Vermillion Stewards volunteer plants a pollinator patch.

Brown-Bag Lunch: Reconnecting North Mpls to the Mighty Mississippi

event_new

June 30, 2016

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.

The desolate and congested West Broadway bridge over I-94 looking towards the Mississippi River

Reconnecting North Mpls to its riverfront

by Alicia Uzarek

article

June 9, 2016

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.