The central portion of the West Unit Environmental Nature Area is closed for construction. Construction is scheduled to be completed and the affected area of the park re-opened this fall. View a map of what's open and closed at the park.

While work is taking place, the dog off-leash area has relocated to the north side of the West Unit of the park, near the water tower. Off-leash area users should enter the water tower driveway off West River Road (north of the West Unit park entrance), and park along the driveway.

The closure is needed to construct new park amenities in the core area of the park: the play area, dog off-leash area, archery facility, seasonal restroom and parking lot. The previous archery range will be closed while work is taking place; archery range users are invited to visit the archery range at Elm Creek Park Reserve.

Construction has begun on the Rush Creek Regional Trail Underpass at Mississippi Gateway. The underpass project will provide a safe route for the regional trail under West River Road, connecting the East and the West Units of the park. West River Road is closed north of the park entrance through November to install the precast tunnel structure. View a map showing the West River Road detour. The West Mississippi River and Rush Creek regional trails will also be detoured throughout construction of the underpass. View a map of the regional trail detours. The park will remain open and accessible to vehicles from the south.

Construction crews continued to make good progress in many areas of the project through August. The Gateway Center’s overlook deck began to take shape, and all exterior doors and windows are now installed. In the interior of the Gateway Center, the gypsum board walls are complete on the lower level. On the upper level, the required wall framing and rough-in inspections were completed, which now allows installation of gypsum board to take place.  

Elsewhere at the East Unit, the seasonal restroom building’s walls and roof deck are complete. The hillside Nature Play Area’s earthwork and retaining walls are near completion. Installation of play equipment will begin this fall. Finally, the first three sections of the Treetop Trail’s concrete deck are now installed. Crews are moving from the south end of the Treetop Trail to the north. As shoring and formwork are removed from completed sections, other crews will follow behind to add the railings and start work on the Treehouse and Bird’s Nest features.

At the West Unit, the play area is complete; however, it will remain closed until the rest of construction is complete and visitors can safely access the park again. Crews are currently working on the excavation and utilities in the dog off-leash area and will begin installing concrete walks and paving throughout the West Unit soon.

The park is open throughout construction. Hike the trails, fish from the platform at the dam or from shore, explore the riverbank and visit the interim dog off-leash area. The Mississippi Gateway Visitor Center will remain open during construction for people to have access to restrooms, visit the live animal displays and chat with park staff. The trails in the southern part of the West Unit also are open during the 2024 construction season. Park guests are reminded to follow all construction signs.

A short segment of the Rush Creek Regional Trail near Mississippi Gateway is detoured to the east side of West River Road through late 2024.

Restrooms and drinking fountains in the Visitor Center are available through the duration of construction; however, all other drinking fountains at the park will be inoperable until new city water service and metering are in place.

To receive emailed project updates, visit this link to sign up for Mississippi Gateway Project Updates and Alerts.

Take a virtual tour of the design of the new park features in this animation.

Three Rivers Park District and Brooklyn Park collaborated to develop a master plan for what were then known as Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park and the Brooklyn Park Environmental Nature Area. The two parks naturally function as one larger natural resource-based park unit located at Coon Rapids Dam on the Mississippi River. To celebrate its location on one of our nation’s greatest natural treasures, the master plan called for renaming the park Mississippi Gateway Regional Park.

The vision statement for the plan is:

A gateway for everyone to connect with the Mississippi River and its dynamic environment.

Key goals of the plan include:

• Be welcoming and engaging to everyone
• Celebrate the river as the heart of the park
• Introduce people to nature and outdoor recreation
• Provide activity and purpose year-round

Key features of the plan include a new Mississippi Gateway Center, Treetop Trail elevated walkway, nature play areas, Mini-Mississippi play feature, field learning labs, South Pond Learning Lab, nature interpretation nodes, improved trails, fishing, picnicking, non-motorized boat launch, archery, off-leash dog area, natural areas and more!

Read the full plan:

• Part 1: Executive Summary, Title - Table of Contents, Section 1: Partnership, Section 2: Introduction, Section 3: Context
• Part 2: Section 4: Input, Section 5: Summary, Section 6: Design Guidance
• Part 3: Section 7: Research, Section 8: Operations and Maintenance, Section 9: Implementation, Appendices

View the plan renderings:

• Brooklyn Park Nature and Environmental Area
• Concept Plan
• River Flats Area
• South Pond Learning Lab
• Upper Recreation Area

Jason Zemke, Senior Manager of Architecture

Jason.Zemke@ThreeRiversParks.org

763-694-7601

Matt Swenson, Project Manager

Matt.Swenson@ThreeRiversParks.org

763-383-2535