Overview

The Minnehaha Creek Preserve officially opened in July 2015, marking a major step in the renaissance of the iconic waterway and one of the largest urban stream restorations in Twin Cities history. The Preserve features 2,200 feet of boardwalk and 4,600 feet of paved trail around a restored stretch of Minnehaha Creek between Meadowbrook Avenue and Louisiana Avenue in St. Louis Park. It is the cornerstone of the Minnehaha Greenway, more than 109 acres of continuous green space constructed or planned along Minnehaha Creek.  

The project is a result of a partnership between the MCWD and the City of St. Louis Park, and was financed in part by a grant from the Clean Water Fund. It is part of a larger effort to improve Minnehaha Creek through its most degraded stretch in St. Louis Park and Hopkins, where the stream had historically been straightened and hidden from sight. The restoration work returned natural curves to the previously straightened stream, lengthening the creek by 1,600 feet. The project treats polluted stormwater from the surrounding 79 acres that previously flowed untreated into the creek, prevents erosion by slowing down water, creates fish and wildlife habitat, and connects the creek to its historic wetlands. It has a significant impact on water quality in Minnehaha Creek and downstream Lake Hiawatha, both of which are on the state’s list of impaired water bodies. Overall, the Preserve creates access to 29 acres of previously inaccessible green space and provides a range of benefits for both water quality and the community.

At a Glance

  • St. Louis Park
  • Minnehaha Creek Subwatershed
  • Status: Complete
  • 2015

MCWD Staff Contact

Josh Wolf

jwolf@minnehahacreek.org

952-641-4588

Supporting Materials

Minnehaha Creek Preserve (Video)

Project Cost

$2,600,000

Project Timeline

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Planning Phase

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Planning Phase

2011 — Project planning begins

2012 — Planning ends

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Design Phase

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Design Phase

2012 — Design phase begins

2013 — Design phase ends

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Construction Phase

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Construction Phase

2013 — Construction begins

2015 — Construction ends

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Project completion

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Project Completion

2015 — Project completed

By the Numbers

79

Acres

stormwater treated on Site

3,300

feet

stream channel restored

1,600

feet

New stream channel length

1.5

miles

trails constructed


Project Highlights

  • Extended the Minnehaha Creek Methodist Hospital Re-meander Project upstream from Louisiana Avenue to Meadowbrook Road
  • Connects over 600 units of housing to local transit
  • Prevents and reduces streambank erosion
  • Invasive buckthorn and preventative ash tree removal
  • Connects Minnehaha Creek to its historic floodplain
  • Enhanced aquatic and terrestrial habitat
  • New outdoor education area for schools and community groups
  • Reconstructed canoe launches at Creekside Park and Louisiana Avenue
  • New boardwalk with access to the floodplain wetlands

Partnership

The City of St. Louis Park originally reached out to MCWD to discuss erosion issues along the creek. Seeing a larger opportunity to work together to restore Minnehaha Creek and treat regional stormwater, MCWD and St. Louis Park leveraged State Clean Water Grant funds, obtained donated easements from private landowners, and continued the work that began with the Minnehaha Creek Methodist Hospital Re-meander project. Additional support for the project was provided by Excelsior Townhomes, Japs-Olson Company, Meadowbrook Manor, and the Minnetonka and St. Louis Park Sunrise Rotary Clubs.

St. Louis Park, MN logo

Funding

Project Cost: $2,600,000

The Minnehaha Creek Preserve construction costs were split between the City of St. Louis Park and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. The project also received grant funding from the Clean Water Grant Fund.

Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment logo