Great Northern Greenway River Link

Minneapolis Parks Foundation > Initiatives > Great Northern Greenway River Link

Now Open!

Visit the first new park on the Mississippi Riverfront in a nearly a generation: The Great Northern Greenway Overlook at 26th Ave N.

RiverFirst Signature Project


The Great Northern Greenway River Link has emerged as a vital connection from Minneapolisโ€™s Northside to the Mississippi River. Stemming from the only protected off-street walking and biking trail across I-94 in North Minneapolis, the River Link will create the first opportunity in nearly a generation for this under-resourced neighborhood to connect with one of our state’s most important natural resources.

The first phase of the project, called the Overlook, includes shoreline enhancements and opportunities for visitors to discover the Mississippi River as a sensory experience. Overlook features include an oval loop trail perched on the riverโ€™s edge, creating inspiring views and a sense of being connected to the river; an original youth-designed interpretive railing by Juxtaposition Arts depicting a history of the Upper Riverfront, from pre-settlement to its imagined future; and a mast with beacon to help make the site visible from the neighborhood.

Location: 1/2 block east of Pacific on 26th Ave N.
More information: Overlook at 26th Ave N (Minneapolis Park Board)

Image Galleries of the Overlook at 26th Ave N.

Overlook at 26th Ave N Virtual Opening

Overlook at 26th Ave N Images

Videos from the Overlook at 26th Ave N.

To view more Minneapolis Parks Foundation videos, visit our YouTube and Vimeo channels.

River Link Future Phases

The broader vision for the River Link includes connections to downtown Minneapolis and West River Road walking and biking trails, together with new parks stretching north and south from the Overlook along the riverfront. Once complete, the full River Link will unite downtown to North Minneapolis along the river, open up a new 40-mile trail loop in Minneapolis, and eventually reach to Northeast across the river to nearly complete Great Northern Greenway trails in Northeast Minneapolis.


Thank you RiverFirst Campaign Supporters

The Overlook was funded through the Park Foundation’s RiverFirst Capital Campaign. Thank you to the many generous individual and institutional supporters who made this project possible!

For more information on the RiverFirst Campaign and to see a full list of Individual Campaign Donors, visit our RiverFirst Capital Campaign Page!


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