For over a decade, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) has worked with public and private partners to build the Minnehaha Creek Greenway, a series of interconnected projects in Hopkins and St. Louis Park that create a linear park along what was the most degraded stretch of Minnehaha Creek.
Through catalytic partnerships and high-impact projects, the Greenway has become the largest urban stream restoration in the Twin Cities Metro Area, improving regional water quality, increasing natural flood storage, and expanding greenspace along the Creek. Through collaboration with local businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies, the Greenway has supported job creation, fostered affordable housing, and created trails connecting people to parkland, transportation, and the restored Creek corridor.
Creating the Gateway to the Greenway
Building on more than a decade of restoration efforts in this industrial corridor, on June 16, 2026, MCWD began constructing the Gateway to the Greenway, which will serve as the western entrance to the nearly 2.5-mile linear park.
Located at the intersection of Lake Street and Blake Road, the Gateway will further expand public greenspace in the corridor, complementing the transformation of Cottageville Park, which MCWD and the City of Hopkins completed in 2015.
The Gateway will welcome visitors to the Greenway through a new public plaza that will include open greenspace and a pergola with swings and benches, providing Creekside views and seating. MCWD will also enhance the surrounding vegetation and create rain gardens with pollinator habitat to treat the site’s stormwater runoff before it enters Minnehaha Creek.
Construction is expected to last through Fall 2026, with temporary impacts like increased noise, sidewalk detours, and disturbed soil and vegetation. Cottageville Park will remain open during construction.
also in this update
- Greenway to Cedar Trail Connection Final Design Approved