Major regional park expansion and improvement projects
Improvements to regional parks attract visitors
Visits to the regional park and trail system grew from an estimated 29.1 million people in 2000 to 33.3 million in 2005. Upgrades of many existing regional parks were made in the first half of the decade. Among the largest park improvement projects were:
Development of Mill Ruins Park, part of Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park in Minneapolis, included reconstruction of a 650-foot section of West River Parkway with wood plank surfacing. The road is a re-creation of the wood plank decking which once capped the main water inflow canal powering the great mills.
Bunker Hills, Coon Rapids – A new spray pool at the water park, renovated large group picnic area shelters, new campground visitor building, improved equestrian center, and reconstructed park roads, parking lots and trails.
Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve, Bloomington – A new bandshell and trailhead at Normandale Lake, 3.3 miles of new trails and a disc golf course at the Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area.
Lake Waconia Regional Park , Waconia – Expanded and improved beach.
North Urban Regional Trail, Dakota County – New sections of the trail along the Mississippi River were added.
Minneapolis Chain of Lakes – Trail replacement, landscaping restoration and stormwater management improvements around Lake of the Isles.
Central Mississippi Riverfront, Minneapolis – Recreation of a historic plank road, a walkway system and development of related interpretive displays of milling activity in the Mill Ruins Park portion of the park.
Theodore Wirth, Minneapolis – Beach bathhouse replaced, new water and sanitary sewer utilities, new retaining wall and other beach improvements. Restoration of more than two miles of bike trails.
Minnehaha Falls and Minnehaha Parkway – Installation of Longfellow Gardens, new trails, bridgework and rehabbed trails along the parkway.
Vadnais-Snail Lakes, Shoreview and Vadnais Heights – New picnic area at Sucker Lake.
Bald Eagle-Otter Lake, White Bear Township – Improvements to the boat launch and picnic area.
Cleary Lake Regional Park, Scott County – Reconstruction of four miles of trails.
Como Zoo/Conservatory, St. Paul – A new Education Resource Center and replaced Fern House. In Como Regional Park, an historic streetcar building was opened.
Lilydale-Harriet Island, St. Paul – Two new stages, a river walkway, restored pavilion, a play structure and more. Extension and improvements to the Sam Morgan Regional Trail along the Mississippi River were made as well.
Gale Woods Special Recreation Feature, Minnetrista – A demonstration farm was opened in the park, which also features trails, canoeing and picnicking. .
Elm Creek Park Reserve, Northwest Hennepin County – A new visitor center, reconstructed paved trails, lighted ski trail, tubing hill and learn-to-ski hill with artificial snowmaking were added to the park reserve.
Baker Park Reserve, Medina – Opening of the "Near Wilderness Settlement,” which includes eight rustic log cabins and a lodge.
Big Marine Park Reserve, northern Washington County – New boat launch.
Four new parks added to regional system
In addition to improvements to existing parks, four new parks were added to the regional park system between 2000 and 2005. They include:
- Silverwood Park Special Recreation Feature – Located in New Brighton, the former Salvation Army Camp on Silver Lake will feature nature interpretation integrated with arts programming.
- Mississippi West Regional Park – A new 240-acre park in Ramsey. The land was donated in 2004 to Anoka County; the park has not yet been developed.
- Tony Schmidt Regional Park – Formerly a county park, Tony Schmidt in Arden Hills (Ramsey County) was given regional status in 2005. It features a popular swimming beach on Lake Johanna.
- Pine Point County Park – Formerly a county park, Pine Point in Stillwater Township (Washington County) was given regional status in 2005. The park is best known for its cross-country skiing and equestrian trails.