Some significant changes are coming to Bunker Hills Regional Park in the North Metro. When the construction dust settles the place will be even better than before.
Between now and 2025 this popular park is going to receive upgrades that will elevate its curb appeal.
“We’re doing a lot of road, parking lot and trail reconstruction projects at Bunker Hills,” said Jeff Perry who is with the Anoka County Parks Department. “The main thoroughfare, park road A, that runs north and south through Bunker Hills Regional Park, that will be completely redone along with all of the associated parking lots and about 2 1/2 miles of trails.”
Some changes are also coming to Bunker Beach – a popular summer hot spot.
“We’ll be connecting Bunker Beach water park to the city water and sewer system of Coon Rapids,” Perry said. “Right now we’re currently operating off of several wells and septic systems which is pretty onerous and cumbersome. In addition to that we are doing some parking lot expansions due to the popularity of Bunker Beach water park.”
Other changes include, replacing 1100 feet of a 20-year old boardwalk that goes across Bunker Lake.
“We’re very much looking forward to rebuilding that boardwalk,” Perry said. “It’s a heavily used trail. It completes a loop trail around the park.”
The Savannah Dunes disc golf course at Bunker is being renovated too. There are new tee box signs, fairways have been opened up, the course is going from nine to 18 holes and there will be a parking lot expansion.
Campground changes
Bunker is a go-to place for gatherings and camping, which is why improvements will be made in those areas of the park.
“We’re building two brand new picnic pavilions,” Perry said. “The old wood pavilions become structurally unsound…We’re also doing some improvements at Bunker Hills campgrounds. We’re upgrading the sites with electric and water connections.”
Cory and Dave Knapp of Andover are Bunker regulars, who put in many steps on the park’s trail system.
“Just about every day unless the weather’s really bad,” Dave said.
The couple is excited about Bunker’s future upgrades.
“We love the paths,” Dave said. “Some of them could use some paving. They haven’t been paved awhile. So yeah looking forward to it.”
Cory and Dave think Bunker is a jewel in the Twin Cities park system.
“We had no idea when we moved here in 1997 that there was this gem right across the street,” Cory said. ” We’ve just been thrilled to use it.”
They both like the multitude of options in the park.
“The wave pool,” Cory said. “The stables for people who are interested in horses. The activity center for events. The new deck they put on is gorgeous. The golf course. Just getting out in nature. Tons of dog walkers over here.”
“Destination park”
According to Perry, over 400,000 people come to Bunker each year. Many of them use the trails for various activities.
“It’s kind of a destination park,” Perry said. “People from throughout the region come to Bunker Hills. We actually have a lot of non-state park use here as well.”
Bunker has a huge footprint and provides an au natural setting in the sprawling Twin Cities metro area.
“It’s a 1600 acre oasis of oak forest, prairie and oak savannah,” Perry said. “Coupled with all of the outdoor recreation opportunities it truly is one of the premier parks in the metropolitan area.
However, Bunker is definitely ready for a new look.
Said Perry: “The infrastructure is almost 25 to 30 years old.”
The tab for the project is $7.5 million – with most of the funds coming from the American Rescue Plan Act, the state of Minnesota and the Met Council.
