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River Park

Park Buildings and picnic pavilions

The city of Brooklyn Park offers park buildings and picnic pavilions of all sizes available to reserve for your family reunion, business picnic or neighborhood gathering. Please call 763-493-8333 with any questions and to check available dates.


Natural Resource Management of River Park

On July 27, 2022, the Parks Operation and Maintenance crew will be mowing around the Nature Play area and the native prairie land at the north end of the park. This is done annually to keep the land healthy and growing properly.


Park Redevelopment Status – Complete

Update September 14, 2021: River Park Grand Re-opening was held on Saturday, July 31, 2021.  Staff will be doing a final construction punch list and walk through specific to turf and native prairie establishment.

Update April 29, 2021: Construction at River Park is starting again for the season. Several projects are slated to put the finishing touches on this beautiful park along the Mississippi River. As soon as Wednesday, May 5, crews will implement a controlled burn in the natural area north of the boat landing. This work will happen weather permitting. A controlled burn removes old vegetation to make room for new growth and helps reduce the spread of invasive and pest species. The northern prairie area and trails will be closed when the burn is taking place.

During the week of May 10, River Park will be closed for the preparation and paving of the trails within River Park. Due to construction of trails and parking lots happening throughout River Park, it will be necessary for the park to be closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic until paving is complete for the safety reasons. The paving should take three to four days weather permitting.

Update April 8, 2021: Due to the winter season, construction has slowed within River Park. Winter construction is focused on completion of the restroom/shelter facility on the south end.  The stormwater management, shoreline restoration, including setting the fishing platforms and stabilization element along the river shore are complete.  The trail along the river has been replaced and the overlook is nearly complete.  Due to site conditions, the in-park bituminous trail work has been delayed until spring.   The shelter previously located on the south end of the park has been moved to its new location as an outdoor classroom space in the northern portion of the park. The new kitchen facility has been placed near the large shelter and final hook-up will occur in the spring. A Grand Re-Opening of River Park is scheduled for Saturday July 31, 2021.

Update December 29, 2020: Construction is on-going at River Park. The stormwater management work is nearly complete on the south end of the park.  Rosti Construction crews are working on the shoreline restoration, including setting the fishing platforms and stabilization element along the river shore.  The trail along the river has been replaced and the overlook is nearly complete.  The new trails have been excavated and are being prepped for paving. Due to the October snow fall the bituminous trail has been delayed until spring.   Work is almost complete on the northern portion of the park with the exception of the trails that will be paved in the Spring.  The shelter previously located on the south end of the park has been moved to its new location as an outdoor classroom space in the northern portion of the park. The new bathroom building and shelter walls are up and the building has been enclosed for the winter.

Update October 28, 2020: The trail along the river has been replaced and the overlook is nearly complete.  The new trails have been excavated and are being prepped for paving. Work is starting on the northern portion of the park with the former south shelter will be moved to its new location as an outdoor classroom space. The new building and shelter foundations are in and walls have started going up.

Update September 22, 2020: Construction is on-going at River Park. The stormwater management work is nearly complete on the south end of the park.  Rosti Construction crews are working on the shoreline restoration, including setting the fishing platforms and stabilization element along the river shore.  The trail connection and overlook vistas have been cleared.  You can actually see the River within the Park!  The new trails have been excavated and are being prepped for paving. Work will begin on the northern portion of the park later this month when the former south shelter will be moved to its new location as an outdoor classroom space.

Update September 15, 2020: Starting on Tuesday, September 15, River Park we will be closed for community access. The boat launch will remain open until further notice.

Start date

Spring 2020

End date

Summer 2021

Overview

Enhancements of the park are currently underway. Some of the goals for River Park are:

  • Create walking loop—create better connections between the north and south portions of the park
  • Create trail connections from West Mississippi Regional Trail to River Park (81st Avenue and 83rd Avenue)
  • Improve water access to the Mississippi River from the park, support the paddle share program and create safe harbor for non-motorized boats.
  • Create stormwater treatment system that is a park amenity and educational opportunity to handle existing untreated stormwater
  • Restore shoreline and lower river trail, with a combination of hardscape and softscape design applications
  • Expand wooded/riparian habitat
  • Open views to the river with selective clearing/removal of invasive species
  • Create new trail connections/overlooks to river edge
  • Create opportunities for shore fishing (fishing pier and/or platform)
  • Add kitchen to existing shelter
  • Add new park building/picnic shelter on south side
  • Expand parking to accommodate expanded gathering space on south side of park
  • Multi-purpose field space
  • Incorporate nature play within riparian area and near new building to the south
  • Incorporate interpretation and educational opportunities in prairie restoration area.
  • Add additional overlooks on the north side of park

Funding source

The master planning, design development and redevelopment of River Park is being funded through the Open Space, Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) fund.

Documents