Mississippi Gateway Regional Park To Celebrate Grand Reopening
The long-awaited Mississippi Gateway Regional Park is opening to the public this weekend in Brooklyn Park. For residents and staff, this project is 10 years in the making.
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park for a long time was known as the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. It was less grandiose, but still a green space the community made use of. Resident Janet Burns recalls visiting in 1990. She said she’d stop by frequently.
“It was out in the country at that time, and I used to bring my three little boys to walk across the dam. It was such a big deal,” said Burns.
But today, as Brooklyn Park grows and develops, the renamed park is a place that’s been transformed. Burns said it’s been perfect as her family’s grown, too.
“I love taking my kids on, and my grandkids on, adventures,” Burns said. She said this park is the perfect place for it.
The new treetop trail at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park. This new trail opens to the public on Saturday. (Courtesy Three Rivers)
Something New
The newly-designed park boasts many things. Among those: a hillside playground, an off-leash dog area and an archery range. Park officials said these elements are what residents asked for years ago.
“About 10 years ago, Three Rivers Park District partnered with the city of Brooklyn Park,” said Patty Maher, outdoor recreation supervisor with the Three Rivers Park District. “We went out to the community and asked them: ‘What do you like about the park?’ and ‘What do you want to see changed?’ And from that, we wrote a long-range plan for the park. Now, we’ve done it!”
This change is something Maher said matches their wildest dreams.
“It’s so fun to think back to our community engagement events 10 years ago,” Maher said. “I can still picture people’s faces and what they said, and what they asked for. To see that happening is so exciting.”
The park is nearly all new, too. There’s a brand new visitor’s center with live animals, concessions and displays that Maher said are designed to pique visitors’ curiosity. On top of bike, rod and reel rentals, it also has its crown jewel: the Treetop Trail. Maher said she’s most excited for people to take that in.
“I think it’s going to be such a fun experience for people to have that birds-eye perspective of the wetland around you, and to hear the water flowing over the dam in the distance, and be in the treetops. I think people are going to love it,” Maher said.
Maher said the project cost $40 million. That included parking lot construction, trail building and the overall rebuilt project on both sides of the street.
The U.S. government, Brooklyn Park, National Parks Service, state bonding dollars and the Three Rivers Park District helped put money into the project.
“Investing in the future of people’s connection to nature is worth it,” Maher said.
Grand Reopening
Maher said the community is welcome to come celebrate the grand reopening.
Three Rivers had the Treetop Trail and Hillside Play Area roped off until the ribbon cutting on Saturday, Sep. 6. People can celebrate the grand reopening beginning at 9 a.m. at the park on 10360 W. River Road. The event goes until 2 p.m.
The event is free. People can expect archery and fishing demos, crafts, bike rentals, guided rides and walks, live music, food trucks and plenty of opportunities for exploration.
While there will be parking at the event, attendance is likely to be high. Maher encourages people to park at the Metro Transit Park and Ride at 4401 95th Avenue N. near Highway 610 and Noble Parkway. Shuttle services will run from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The new Gateway Center at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park in Brooklyn Park. It has multiple levels with live animals and activities.
