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Mississippi Gateway Regional Park

Read about our exciting plans for this regional park!

Redevelopment plans

MS Gateway

Over the past couple of years, the Three Rivers Park District (TRPD) in partnership with the City of Brooklyn Park has conducted over 30 community engagement events and meetings to get feedback on the future redevelopment of the Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (formerly Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park), located on the east edge of the community along the Mississippi River.

Potential amenities

At this stage, the concept plan proposes the following potential amenities:

  • Welcome and education center
  • Restrooms
  • Canopy-level tree walk
  • Outdoor learning opportunities and connection points
  • Natural areas
  • Trails
  • Nature based play area
  • Enhanced parking
  • Interpretive and arts facilities
  • Picnic areas and shelter
  • Tree house and river overlooks
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Open lawn for informal activities
  • Extensive trail network
  • Archery range
  • Dog off-leash area
  • Mississippi River water play feature

Connections to other areas

Connections to the river and fishing areas would be provided, along with links to the Rush Creek and West Mississippi River Regional Trails, and adjacent neighborhoods.

Planning process Update

New Update 

November 2023 

Construction of the maintenance facility is moving along quickly. The foundation work for the Gateway Center is underway so the building can be enclosed before winter.  Construction has started on the reservation shelter on the west unit.

Project Overview 

A Ground Breaking ceremony was held on June 14th to commemorate the start of construction. Beginning June 15th West River Road will have a road closure so the contractor can install the utilities for the project.  Residents and the community have been notified.

The project was advertised for bid beginning February 16, 2023 with bids being due on March 16, 2023. Project contracts were awarded on March 30, 2023. Utility and initial construction is planned to begin during the summer of 2023. Staff have been working on the project so that it will be phased now to allow the dog park to be used throughout most of the project. Construction will continue in 2024 and 2025 and a re-grand opening will be held in 2026.  Construction began on April 17, 2023 tree removal for the project area 2023 to be completed in 2023.

Development of the Brooklyn Park side of the park includes expansion of the off-leash dog area, relocation of the archery range, addition of a large picnic shelter and restroom facilities along with an expanded parking area is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2023.

The design development phase of the project is complete. Staff continue to review cost estimates and suggesting value engineering opportunities to manage the project budget. Staff is being challenged with the hyperinflation of the past 18 months. Some changes have been made to the planned shelter area on the west side of the park and prefabricated bathroom buildings are being planned to keep the project within budget.

More information

Download the park’s concept map (PDF) >

Brooklyn Park Parks and Recreation System Plan

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