Coon Rapids Celebrates Completion Of Decade-Long, $17.4M Park Bond Improvement Projects - Coon Rapids City Park Bond Improvement Projects Complete
By MinneapoliMedia Staff | August 2, 2025
COON RAPIDS, MN — After more than a decade of planning, construction, and transformation, the City of Coon Rapids is proudly celebrating the completion of its Park Bond Improvement Projects, funded by a $17.4 million park bond referendum overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2013.
City officials, community members, and local partners gathered this week to mark the achievement with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting — signifying not just the end of a major capital project, but the beginning of a new era for public recreation in Coon Rapids.
“This is a tremendous moment for our community,” said Coon Rapids Mayor Jerry Koch during the ceremony. “These improvements are already enriching the lives of families and residents, and they’ll continue to serve future generations.”
A Decade of Transformational Change
The $17.4 million bond made possible a sweeping set of upgrades and additions across the city’s park system, touching nearly every corner of Coon Rapids with projects focused on accessibility, safety, recreation, and connectivity.
Park Renovations
Eleven parks were fully renovated over the life of the project, starting with Riverview Park and concluding with Lion's Coon Creek Park. These comprehensive updates included new amenities, landscaping, pathways, and gathering spaces tailored to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.
ADA-Accessible Playgrounds
Lion’s Coon Creek Park now features a state-of-the-art, ADA-accessible playground equipped with a rubberized safety surface, ensuring that children of all abilities can safely enjoy the space.
Pickleball Surge
At Riverwind Park, the city added six dedicated pickleball courts, helping meet the rising popularity of the sport. These courts accommodate both league and open play, making Riverwind a new hub for recreational activity.
Athletic Complex Overhaul
One of the most transformative projects was the complete redevelopment of Sand Creek Park, a sprawling 40-acre athletic complex. Today, it stands as a premier facility hosting regional and national sports tournaments, drawing teams and visitors to Coon Rapids from across the Midwest.
Summer Splash Pad
Another community favorite is the new splash pad at Boulevard Plaza, which has quickly become a go-to destination for families during the warm summer months.
Trail Expansions
The bond also enabled major expansions to the city’s trail network. Key additions include:
The 85th Avenue Trail Project, which now connects Coon Rapids and Fridley to the Springbrook Nature Center, offering scenic access to one of the metro’s natural treasures.
A new trail along Coon Rapids Boulevard, linking Anoka to Egret Boulevard, further strengthening the city’s walkability and bikeability.
Investing in Quality of Life
These projects, while diverse in scope, share a common goal: to enhance quality of life for Coon Rapids residents by improving access to safe, inclusive, and vibrant outdoor spaces.
City leaders say the improvements will have lasting benefits — encouraging physical activity, supporting community events, attracting tournaments and visitors, and improving property values.
“This is exactly the kind of long-term investment our residents asked for and deserve,” said Public Works and Parks Director Tim Himmer. “We thank the voters who supported the bond in 2013 — their vision made all of this possible.”
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