Minnesota River Valley Planning

In early 2014, the City of Bloomington began work on a strategic plan for City property in the Minnesota River Valley.  The purpose of the Minnesota River Valley Strategic Plan (MRVSP) is to identify opportunities to enhance access, use, and stewardship of the portion of the Minnesota River Valley owned by and located within the City of Bloomington. The MRVSP also recommends preparation of four "system plans" over the next few years to identify and prioritize specific implementation actions regarding:  natural and cultural resources; signage; trails; and maintenance.

The Strategic Plan was completed in 2016.  More information and a link to the final plan final is available here.

The purpose of the Natural and Cultural Systems plan is to identify high priority areas for resource enhancement.  This plan also provides detailed analysis of natural and cultural resources in the River Valley in order to assess management strategies and where they should be applied.    

More information and a link to the draft can be found here.

Anticipated to begin work on a draft soon.

Anticipated to begin work on a draft soon.

The Minnesota Valley State Trail is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) project funded by the State Legislature.  In 2014, the State Legislature approved $2.164 million to construct the Bloomington segment of the State Trail, which extends between the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center and the Bloomington Ferry Road trailhead.  The State Trail corridor through Bloomington will contain a paved trail as well as a natural surface trail. 

More information can be found here.

• Minnesota River Valley National Wildlife Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service)
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area
• Friends of Minnesota Valley
• Hennepin County Natural Resources Interactive Map
• Minnesota Valley Trail layout map