Greenway to Cedar Trail Connection & Streambank Restoration
Overview
The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) is in the early phases of planning a 1,000-foot trail connection from Methodist Hospital and the Minnehaha Creek Preserve to the Cedar Lake LRT Regional Trail and upcoming Southwest Light Rail Blake Road Station. The new trail will also connect to 325 Blake Road and Cottageville Park in Hopkins. In addition to trail development, MCWD will restore streambank along Minnehaha Creek to remediate streambank erosion, as well as repair areas of the floodplain and adjacent riparian buffers.
As MCWD began developing projects from Knollwood Mall to Meadowbrook Golf Course in the early 2010s, we identified an opportunity to restore a degraded stretch of streambank near the railroad crossing. By partnering with the Southwest Light Rail Project and the City of St. Louis Park, we were able to preserve space under the new rail bridge intersecting with Minnehaha Creek. As the bridge nears completion, we’re assessing the creek to determine the extent of work required to restore its ecological integrity. This assessment will serve as the foundation for the trail connection and streambank improvements.
Project Updates
FALL 2024
MCWD held a public hearing for project ordering at the Sept. 26, 2024, Board of Managers meeting. Following the public hearing, the Board ordered the project, advancing the project into the design phase.
The Board authorized a design contract with Stantec at its Oct. 10, 2024, meeting for the project. MCWD will engage with the community on the project’s design plans prior to final design.
Project Timeline
Planning Phase
Planning Phase
2016 — MCWD secures space for a trail connection under the new rail bridge for the Southwest Light Rail Green Line extension
2017 — MCWD and partners pause trail connection and restoration projects until Southwest Light Rail Construction is near completion
August 2022 — MCWD Board of Managers authorize updated topographic and tree surveys and a feasibility study with Resolution 22-050
October 2023 — Feasibility study and surveys complete
September 2024 — MCWD’s Board orders the project with Resolution 24-054
Fall 2024 — Planning phase completed
Design Phase
Design Phase
Fall 2024 – Design phase begins
October 2024 – MCWD’s Board authorizes a design contract for the Greenway to Cedar Trail Connection and Streambank Restoration with Resolution 24-056
2025 — Design phase ends
Construction Phase
Construction Phase
2025 – Construction begins
2026 – Construction completed
Project completion
Project Completion
2026 — Project complete
By the Numbers
1,000
feet
of paved trail
1,800
feet
of streambank restored
600
units
of housing connected to trail
Project Highlights
- Paved trail between the Minnehaha Creek Preserve boardwalk and the Cedar Lake Regional Trail
- Improved access to the Cedar Lake Regional Trail and the Blake Road Light Rail Station
- Fully connected Greenway along Minnehaha Creek
- Restored streambank
- Invasive species removal
All metrics anticipated upon project completion.
Partnership
Projects along the Minnehaha Creek Greenway have been the result of fruitful partnerships with public and private agencies in the area. MCWD will continue to work with partners, including the City of St. Louis Park, to develop the Greenway to Cedar Trail Connection and Streambank Restoration. The Metropolitan Council has also been a critical partner on this project.
Funding
Project Cost: $884,000
Funding for this project is split between the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the City of St. Louis Park. The project is also supported in part by grant funding from the Hennepin County Southwest Community Works Program.
