Mississippi Gateway Regional Park is one of the many attractions next to the river and now North Metro residents have even more reasons to visit the park.
Gateway’s splashy $40 million upgrade is complete and it’s getting rave reviews.
“I love this park,” said Joan Magnuson of Mounds View. “I love being by the river. It’s really a treasure.”
This treasure is even more impressive now and Gateway celebrated the makeover with a grand opening last Saturday.
“We received funds from the United States Government,” said Patty Maher from the Three Rivers Park District. “From the state of Minnesota. From the city of Brooklyn Park. We also worked with the National Park Service on some of the funding.”
Gateway’s new look should attract plenty of park goers.
“We’ve done a lot of renovations to the park,” Maher said. “We built the new Gateway Center with this beautiful deck overlooking the river and the park, which connects to the treetop trail to the south, which is also connected to the new Mississippi play way, which is a play area built into the hillside.”
Gateway has been slowly changing for approximately a decade.
“Mississippi Gateway Regional Park has been going through renovations for about 10 years,” Maher said. “We actually went out to the community about 10 years ago and asked people what do you like about the park and what would you like to see changed and we wrote a long range plan based on that.”
Gateway – which is located in Brooklyn Park just across the Mississippi from Anoka County – is ADA accessible and easy to get to.
“It’s a beautiful park,” said Tracy Gellatly of New Brighton. “I love the classic lines. The natural elements. I love that it is open to all people. People that are handicapped, mothers with children. The playground looks amazing.
“We’ve increased the accessibility of the park so that people of all mobilities can get around and enjoy the park,” Maher said.
Treetop trail provides bird’s eye view
One of the new additions is the Gateway Center, which is informative and visual as visitors learn about the history of the river, the birds, critters and fish who call it home.
Said Maher: “It’s a hybrid between a nature center and a visitors center.”
Just outside of Gateway Center is a brand new deck with panoramic views of the park. People gravitate to this spot for many reasons.
“The sunshine,” Magnuson said. “The view. The access to the dam and the rushing water.”
Gateway is chock full of trails – including a unique elevated path.
“The treetop trail is going to be a place where people can get a bird’s eye perspective of the wetland and the forest around the area…” Maher said. “It’s a great place to connect with nature.”
Gateway also has a dog park, bike and cross country ski rentals, an archery area, camps and educational programs.
