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North Minneapolis Trail Connection |
Agreement with BNSF Railway will allow new North Minneapolis riverfront trail connection
 A diagram showing the approximate location of the upcoming trail connection between Ole Olson Park and the 26th Avenue North Overlook
Project will create a new trail connection between Ole Olson Park and 26th Avenue North Overlook
At its Feb. 21, 2024 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners approved an agreement with BNSF Railway Company authorizing land access underneath a railroad bridge to build a new riverfront trail segment connecting Ole Olson Park and the 26th Avenue North Overlook.
This project will create a new 1,000-foot trail connection to extend a popular riverfront regional trail past the end of West River Road and add new riverside experiences in North Minneapolis.
It will connect the 26th Avenue North Overlook, which opened in 2021, to the downtown riverfront and the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, the 51-mile continuous bike/walk trail that encircles most of Minneapolis. It will also connect to the off-street trail on 26th Avenue North, which travels across all of North Minneapolis between the Mississippi River and Theodore Wirth Regional Park.
BNSF owns and operates a railroad track and bridge between Ole Olson Park and the 26th Avenue North Overlook. Over the last two years, MPRB has been collaborating on project designs and negotiating this agreement with BNSF. The agreement will allow sufficient space to construct, operate, and maintain bicycle and pedestrian trails along the riverfront, separated from BNSF rail operations.
"This is a critical connection in our long-term vision to extend equitable access to Minneapolis' waterfront on the Northside," said Al Bangoura, Superintendent of the MPRB. "We appreciate BNSF Railway's cooperation and work on this project. BNSF and Continental Cement have been key partners in creating this important trail for people in North Minneapolis and trail users who come from all over to enjoy the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway."
Agreement Details
- MPRB agrees to pay BNSF a total of $48,150 to construct, own, and operate the trail on BNSF land.
- BNSF retains rights to operate and maintain its railway and bridge structures with no required changes to the bridge structures.
- BNSF and MPRB have agreed to the trail design within BNSF’s property. This includes an overhead protection structure to protect trail users from any fallen debris and fencing and gates in strategic locations.
- The MPRB will own and maintain the trail, overhead protection structure, lighting, and drainage.
- BNSF will own the fence and gates that have been installed on its right-of-way.
- BNSF can access its bridge via park property for maintenance purposes.
Please view Resolution 2024-39 for full details.
 An illustration shows the upcoming trail traveling under the railroad bridge north of Ole Olson Park
Park Development Timeline
2002: The land for Ole Olson Park (originally called Skyline Park) was acquired by the MPRB as part of Above the Falls Master Plan, which laid out a vision for acquiring more Mississippi Riverfront parkland north of St. Anthony Falls and connecting it via trail extensions.
2006: The park was officially renamed to Orvin "Ole" Olson Park. Olson was a longtime MPRB Commissioner who championed land acquisition and park development along the Minneapolis riverfront.
2007: Ole Olson Park was developed with benches and pathways.
2018: The City of Minneapolis completed a full reconstruction of 26th Avenue North, which includes an off-street trail across all of North Minneapolis that connects Theodore Wirth Regional Park, Farview Park, and the Mississippi River.
2020: The MPRB received a $3 million grant in the 2020 state infrastructure bill to help build a trail connection between the 26th Avenue North Overlook and Ole Olson Park.
2021: The 26th Avenue North Overlook was completed. The river overlook platform centers around a 35-foot-tall riverfront beacon that is lit at night during non-migratory periods.
2022: The MPRB hosts open houses, site tours, online survey and public hearing to collect feedback on the design of the new trail connection.
2023: An agreement is reached with Continental Cement Company that allows the trail on Continental property.
2024: An agreement is reached with BNSF Railway Company that allows the trail on BNSF property and under its bridge.
Construction is expected to begin in 2024 and the new trail will open in 2025.
Project Manager
Tyler Pederson
612-230-6418 | tpederson@minneapolisparks.org
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