Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park Makeover Continues
Construction on a new parking lot is now complete at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Park improvements will continue next year.
“That will be to finish regrading the road that goes down to the boat launch,” said Cyndi Olson from the Three Rivers Park District. “They’re going to be putting in a roundabout next summer down at the boat launch. Then, they are going to regrade the actual boat launch, which is just for canoes and kayaks.”
The final phase of the project could include a new visitors center and eventual name change.
First Phase of Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park Revamp
The city of Brooklyn Park and Three Rivers Park District are partnering together on the park improvements. Park goers will notice better parking and better lighting. Crews are installing better water filtration systems to keep parking lot runoff from getting into the Mississippi River.
“Speaking of the Mississippi River, people will have better access. There will be nice trails down to the water and to the dam itself,” said Patty Maher, outdoor education supervisor with Three Rivers Park District. “Bike users will really notice a difference too. They are going to be off of the driveway, which is what it used to be like. They will have their own access into the park on the regional trail.”
Maher says bikers will also have their own “rest stop,” which will include a bottle refilling station, water fountain and benches.
To learn more about the long-term Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park project, go to:
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Shannon Slatton, reporting
CCX Media is on Comcast Xfinity in the Northwest Suburbs of Minneapolis and includes the cities Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Backyard Getaways: Coon Rapids Dam
The parks on both sides of the Coon Rapids Dam offer free concerts, nature trails, and much more.
One park for each side of the river
“I think it’s just a great opportunity for people to come out here and have a cool recreational experience without having to plan a lot of activities,” said Andy Soltvedt of the Anoka County Park system. “You’re not packing up the car for the weekend and loading all your stuff.”
Half of the park is in Brooklyn Park and the other half is in Coon Rapids. The cities are split by the Mississippi River, but are connected by a dam.
“I do think it’s really a feather in the cap for these cities, both Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids,” Soltvedt said. “They have this access point.”
The park is an outdoor playground in the northern burbs.
“It’s a really good experience,” said Mohamed Yasin of Brooklyn Park. “The breeze. The air coming at you from the side. It’s beautiful.”
The park is paradise for nature lovers and it gets multi-modal use.
“You see the dog walkers, you see the bikers, you see the pedestrians,” Soltvedt said. “It’s really kind of a central hub here which gets people out of the neighborhood and it gets you into a nice unique peaceful environment.”
History and more on the Anoka side
On the Anoka County side of the mighty Mississippi there is plenty of history. Once upon a time ox carts were a form of transportation.
“There’s actually some sections with in the park,” Soltvedt said, “where you can still see the ruts from the old carts that go back and fourth through the trail.”
Bird watching is popular in this part of the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park because the Mississippi is a major fly way.
“They come through with their nice big lens cameras,” Soltvedt said, “and can get some really cool shots of the migrating water fowl that come up and down the river ways.”
Another park perk is free concerts. People gather on 10 Thursdays in the summer to hear music in a unique setting.
“Great activity, 7 p.m., sun’s kind of cooling down, bands are cranked up,” Soltvedt said. “It’s a lot of fun. You get a thousand plus people into the park.”
Nature abounds on Brooklyn Park side
On the Hennepin County side of the muddy Mississippi there is an abundance of wildlife and at the visitors center too. The park is soon to be called Mississippi Gateway Regional Park.
“We do have the luxury of having a great big fish tank here that shows some of the fish that can be in the river,” said Michelle Bierma from the Three Rivers Park District. “There’s a mirror carp here along with a couple of long-nosed gar.”
Turtles are on display and there are many different kinds to see.
“Painted turtle there,” Bierma said pointing to a nearby fish tank. “Really common. They’re found in almost every Minnesota lake, stream and river.”
One of the coolest parts of the visitors center is an elevated back porch.
“It’s a little bit like a tree fort because you’re really at the tree top level to see what’s going on,” Bierma said. “Great birding spot and just a good spot to come and relax and listen to the sounds of the park.”
From hummingbirds to wildflowers to spectacular sunsets, nature’s magic is everywhere.
“It’s a wonderful place to be down on the river,” Bierma said. “To see herons and egrets and different species of ducks and hear lots of little birds.”
The Coon Rapids Dam
At the center of the park is the historic Coon Rapids Dam.
“It’s well over 100 years old now,” Soltvedt said. “It’s one of the older dams on the Mississippi.”
The dam controls the power and fury of the nation’s most famous river.
“Fast,” said park-goer Victoria Bird. “Running. It controls the water. It’s just very flowing. It’s excitement.”
“To be literally right on top of the Mississippi,” Soltvedt said, “you kind of feel that power of the water going underneath you and hearing those waves crash.”
The Hennepin County side of the park is 160 acres in size and has over two miles of trails along the river banks.
Eric Nelson, reporting
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CCX Media is on Comcast xfinity and CenturyLink prism in the Northwest Suburbs of Minneapolis and includes the cities Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
GoPro Time Lapse: Fishing the Rum River-Anoka Dam Anoka, MN
Fishing in my favorite local spot.
Three Rivers Bike Plan
Three Rivers Park District plans more regional bike trails
12 News is on Comcast cable channel 12 in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis and includes the cities Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Leaving Coon Rapids Dam and driving to Anoka, MN
I want a different mount for my camera. I need a mount for the top of my helmet. The camera attached to the side of my helmet never seems to catch the right angle. Even if it is pointed up it's viewing the pavement. I might be better off getting a different camera for next year. If I'm sitting up at a stop light you can see some of the buildings.
Brooklyn Park Mayor's Minutes 8-5-15
Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeff Lunde sits down with Dave Kiser to talk about the future of Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park and an upcoming community meeting about street repairs.
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Channel 12 is on Comcast cable in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis and includes the cities Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Fish Lake Trail to Elm Creek Park
Earth Day Clean-up Planned at Coon Rapids Dam
Every spring, old fishing line, hooks and lures can be found along the banks of the Mississippi river near the Coon Rapids Dam.
On Earth Day, the Three Rivers Park District is hosting a trash clean-up event to get the garbage out ahead of summer.
“It’s a chance for people to get out and enjoy the park and also help out the park by [removing] any litter that’s come down stream over the last year,” Allison Holzer with the Three Rivers Park District.
Trash bags and gloves will be handed out for the April 22nd event but Holzer recommends dressing for the weather and the possibility of mud.
“It’s just a fun thing for people to get out and do,” said Holzer.
The trash clean-up will take place between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, located at 10360 West River Road in Brooklyn Park.
Maple Grove / Champlin Trail for Walking, Running, Biking,
Maple Grove / Champlin Trail
12 News July 2, 2015
---NEWS---
0:34 Robbinsdale Car Break-ins
1:34 BP City Manager Search
2:02 Coon Rapids Dam Walkway
4:25 Maple Grove Central Park Construction/12 News Special
5:26 Fireworks Injuries
6:13 Finding Rover App
7:36 National Senior Games
8:46 Miss Minnesota
---SPORTS---
11:32 Champlin Park vs. Maple Grove American Legion Baseball
12:52 USA Cup Soccer
13:30 Terry Tuma Fishing Tip
---LAST SEGMENT---
15:45 Spud Clue #8
16:09 In the Garden: Perennials
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Channel 12 is on Comcast cable in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis and includes the cities Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Granite Shores on the Beautiful Mississippi and Historical Main Street
See one of the most unique properties full of features and amenities you cannot find anywhere else. Granite countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances, New Flooring, New Kitchens, Designer Ligthing and more! GraniteShores.com
What I Learned at Summer Camp: Hunt and Fish Camp
Among the foliage of Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, is a collection of two dozen kids, enjoying the great outdoors.
“It’s really fun to be outside and to see nature,” said Ashley Wolford, 13, of Brooklyn Center.
But this time outside serves a greater purpose. This week, naturalists from the Three Rivers Park District are teaching the kids lessons that could have a lifelong impact.
“We are training younger generations to have firearms safety under their belts and be better hunters in the future,” said Cassie Janke, a Three Rivers Park District naturalist.
Janke is one of the people leading hunt and fish camp. By the end of the week, the kids who signed up will earn their Minnesota DNR Firearms Safety Certificate, which is required to buy a hunting license.
“My family hunts and I want to join them,” said Wolford.
Getting young people like Wolford interested in hunting at this age is crucial to the future of the sport.
The other day, we learned that only six percent of America hunts,” Wolford said. “And it would be really fun to make that number higher, and it’s really good that they’re safe when they’re doing it.”
Safety is one of the key points the instructors are trying to drive home.
“The difference between an accident and a tragedy is where that muzzle is pointed,” Janke said. “So that right there kind of says it all. Where that muzzle just has to always be under control and where your gun is pointing.”
Yet in addition to the various activities related to properly handling a firearm, the group also spent time learning the ins and outs of tree stand safety.
“Tree stand safety is huge,” Janke said. “A lot of accidents do happen from tree stands. Just either not wearing the right equipment, not being supported right or on the right tree. So it’s good to get the kids up there, know what the right feeling should feel like”
Once the kids got into their tree stands, they had the opportunity to practice a little archery.
All in all, not a bad way to spend a warm summer day.
“Yeah, you love to connect with the kids who are very technology-based, just to show them what potentially is just out their door,” Janke said.
Delane Cleveland, reporting
CCX Media is on Comcast Xfinity in the Northwest Suburbs of Minneapolis and includes the cities Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Golden Valley, Maple Grove, New Hope, Osseo, Plymouth and Robbinsdale.
Barred Owl at Fort Snelling State Park
We found this owl hanging out just off the road during a hike tonight. It switched trees a few times while we tried to take pictures and then this shows its final flight away.
Free concerts, kayaking trip, more events this weekend- Sun Suburbs Today - Friday, Aug. 7
This is the final weekend for the Off Broadway Musical Theatre's production of Once Upon a Mattress. The free outdoor musical is 9 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at the New Hope Outdoor Theatre in Civic Center Park, 4401 Xylon Ave. N. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food to be donated to local food shelves.
A DJ will be spinning tunes 5-8 p.m. this Saturday night during Hip Hop Night at the Brooklyn Center Community Center pool. Regular swimming pool and water slide rates apply.
If you enjoy the great outdoors discover the scenic and natural sides of the Twin Cities in a kayak trip down the Mississippi River this Sunday sponsored by Three Rivers Park District. Participants will start at Coon Rapids Dam in Brooklyn Park and stop half way for a stretch and lunch, then continue to North Mississippi Regional Park in Brooklyn Center. Intermediate kayaking skills are required. Gear and a shuttle are provided. Reservations are required.
Free Family Fundays continues this Sunday at North Mississippi Regional Park in Brooklyn Center. This week's theme is Prairies. The event runs each Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. and is for families with children of all ages. Call Three Rivers Park District for more information.
Gypsy Mania Quartet will present a free concert at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Brookview Park, Winnetka Avenue North and Highway 55 in Golden Valley.
Come to the Eidem Homestead 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday for a Teddy Bear Picnic with the Teddy Bear Band. The homestead sits at 101st Avenue and Noble Parkway in Brooklyn Park.
Capitol Report: Uniquely Minnesota Topics at the State Fair
On this week's Capitol Report, moderator Shannon Loehrke spent time at the Minnesota Senate booth, talking with Senators about some uniquely Minnesota topics.
From sharing their favorite Minnesota pastime, to identifying unique Minnesota features, to pitching a visit to their district, Senators Mary Kiffmeyer, Roger Chamberlain, David Osmek, Ann Rest, John Hoffman and Chris Eaton join in the State Fair spirit and share their perspectives on some interesting and fun topics.
Also on the program, Shannon provides highlights of the Minnesota Supreme Court's review of Governor Mark Dayton's veto of funding for the legislature.