Before Minneapolis was the “city of lakes,” we were a river city.

Now open in 2021, two new RiverFirst projects – Water Works at Mill Ruins Park and the Overlook at 26th Ave N. RiverFirst is a vision for transforming 11 miles of once-industrial Mississippi Riverfront as it flows through the heart of Minneapolis into a welcoming place for all people through improved habitat and miles of new interconnected parks and trails.

Discover RiverFirst Signature Projects

RiverFirst signature projects provide unique opportunities for connecting with the Mississippi River and each other, through restored habitat, walking and biking trails, historical interpretation, artistic performance, and civic engagement.

Now Open!

Water Works at Mill Ruins Park
The Water Works Park Pavilion opened July 19

Great Northern Greenway River Link
Now Open! Phase 1 Overlook at 26th Ave. N.

About RiverFirst

RiverFirst is a model public-private partnership for next-generation parks rooted in equity and cultural inclusion, community health and wellbeing, connections to the natural world, climate resiliency, and economic vitality.

With RiverFirst, the community has the opportunity to redefine its relationship to the river and transform the Upper Mississippi Riverfront into a world-class cultural and recreation destination – through restored habitat, access to vital amenities, and a network of interconnected parks and trails – as well as a place for equitable, sustainable economic growth.

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is the primary philanthropic partner of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board in RiverFirst, an initiative adopted by the Park Board in 2012 to develop riverfront parks and trails on both sides of the Mississippi River from the northern city limits to Downtown.

Additional RiverFirst Projects (External Links)

Scherer site + Hall’s Island (Minneapolis Park Board)
East Bank Trail (Minneapolis Park Board)
Riverfront Park at Upper Harbor Terminal (Minneapolis Park Board, City of Minneapolis)

Related Plans (External Links)

RiverFirst Vision
Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park Master Plan (MPRB)
Above the Falls Master Plan Update (City of Minneapolis)
St. Anthony Falls Interpretive Plan (St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board)

---

For more information about the RiverFirst Capital Campaign and for a complete list of campaign contributors, visit our RiverFirst Capital Campaign Page!

---