Midtown Greenway

Midtown Greenway is a 5.5-mile rail trail in Minneapolis, Minnesota, built on the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad corridor. The trail connects the Cedar Lake Trail to the Mississippi River, passing through the Midtown neighborhood and providing a vital link between several Minneapolis parks, including Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles, and Lake Harriet. The trail is managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board in partnership with the Hennepin County and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Federal Highway Administration has provided funding for various improvements to the trail, including the installation of LED lighting and the construction of bike lanes.

Introduction

The Midtown Greenway is a popular route for commuting and recreation, attracting users from across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including St. Paul, Bloomington, and Edina. The trail is also a key component of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, a 13-mile scenic drive that takes visitors through some of Minneapolis' most beautiful parks and neighborhoods, including Kenwood, Lowry Hill, and Linden Hills. The Midtown Greenway Coalition, a non-profit organization, works to promote the trail and advocate for its continued development and improvement, in partnership with organizations such as the Sierra Club, the League of American Bicyclists, and the National Park Service. The trail has been recognized as one of the best bike trails in the country by Bicycling Magazine and has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, and Outside Magazine.

History

The Midtown Greenway was built on the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad corridor, which was abandoned in the 1990s. The Minnesota Department of Transportation acquired the corridor and began planning for its redevelopment as a rail trail, with input from the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and the Metropolitan Council. The trail was designed to provide a safe and convenient route for bicycling and walking, while also promoting economic development and urban renewal in the surrounding neighborhoods, including Whittier, Elliott Park, and Stevens Square. The trail has undergone several improvements and expansions since its opening, including the addition of public art installations and the construction of pedestrian bridges over Hiawatha Avenue and Lake Street.

Route

The Midtown Greenway stretches 5.5 miles from the Cedar Lake Trail to the Mississippi River, passing through the Midtown neighborhood and several Minneapolis parks, including Lake Calhoun, Lake of the Isles, and Lake Harriet. The trail intersects with several other bike trails and pedestrian paths, including the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, the Kenilworth Trail, and the Minnehaha Creek Trail. The trail also passes through the University of Minnesota's West Bank campus and the Weisman Art Museum, and offers stunning views of the Minneapolis skyline and the Mississippi River valley. The trail is accessible from several Metro Transit bus routes, including the Metro Transit Route 2 and the Metro Transit Route 25.

Design_and_Construction

The Midtown Greenway was designed to provide a safe and convenient route for bicycling and walking, with a 10-foot wide asphalt path and 2-foot wide shoulders. The trail features several public art installations, including murals and sculptures, and is lined with trees and gardens. The trail was constructed using a combination of federal, state, and local funding, including grants from the Federal Highway Administration and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The trail has undergone several improvements and expansions since its opening, including the addition of LED lighting and the construction of bike lanes and pedestrian bridges.

Impact_and_Reception

The Midtown Greenway has had a significant impact on the surrounding neighborhoods, including Whittier, Elliott Park, and Stevens Square, by promoting economic development and urban renewal. The trail has also improved air quality and public health by providing a safe and convenient route for bicycling and walking, and has been recognized as one of the best bike trails in the country by Bicycling Magazine. The trail has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, and Outside Magazine, and has been praised by local officials, including the Mayor of Minneapolis and the Hennepin County Board. The trail is also an important component of the Twin Cities' regional trail system, which includes the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, the Kenilworth Trail, and the Minnehaha Creek Trail.

Future_Development

The Midtown Greenway is expected to continue to play a vital role in the development of the Twin Cities' regional trail system, with plans for future expansions and improvements, including the construction of new bike lanes and pedestrian bridges. The Midtown Greenway Coalition is working to promote the trail and advocate for its continued development and improvement, in partnership with organizations such as the Sierra Club, the League of American Bicyclists, and the National Park Service. The trail is also expected to continue to attract visitors from across the Twin Cities metropolitan area, including St. Paul, Bloomington, and Edina, and to promote economic development and urban renewal in the surrounding neighborhoods, including Whittier, Elliott Park, and Stevens Square. The Federal Highway Administration and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are expected to continue to provide funding for improvements to the trail, including the installation of LED lighting and the construction of public art installations. Category:Transportation in Minneapolis