Mississippi Gateway Regional Park Celebrates Grand Reopening After $40 Million Redevelopment

Mississippi Gateway Regional Park Celebrates Grand Reopening After $40 Million Redevelopment

BROOKLYN PARK — Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, formerly known as Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park on the west side of the river, officially celebrated its grand reopening on Saturday, September 6, 2025. The milestone event marked the completion of the largest redevelopment project in the history of the Three Rivers Park District—a nearly decade-long effort to transform the park into a premier regional destination.

The $40 million project was a partnership between the Three Rivers Park District and the City of Brooklyn Park, with support from community members and regional funding sources. Leaders say the redevelopment was designed to revitalize the park, expand recreational opportunities, and better connect the community to the Mississippi River and its surrounding natural environment.

New Features and Amenities

The redeveloped park introduces several signature attractions and improvements:

• Gateway Center – A new visitor and education hub featuring classrooms, educational exhibits, live animal displays, and equipment rentals.
• Treetop Trail – A 900-foot-long elevated walkway offering sweeping “bird’s-eye” views of the wetlands and the iconic Coon Rapids Dam.
• Nature Play Area – Co-designed with input from local elementary students, the play area combines traditional equipment with unique, nature-based elements.
• Expanded Amenities – Including an enhanced eight-lane archery range, an off-leash dog park, improved trails, riverfront picnic shelters, and new fishing opportunities.

Grand Opening Celebration

The reopening celebration ran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and drew families and outdoor enthusiasts from across the northwest metro. The day began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and continued with a wide variety of free activities. Guests enjoyed archery and fishing demonstrations, natural history presentations, arts and crafts, live music, food trucks, and guided nature walks. Free bicycle rentals and shuttle services were also provided to accommodate the large turnout.

A Community Gateway to the Mississippi

Officials hailed the redevelopment as both a recreational investment and a conservation milestone. By linking new amenities with existing regional trails and riverfront access, Mississippi Gateway Regional Park now serves as a true gateway to the Mississippi River corridor.

“This project is about more than building new amenities—it’s about building connections,” park officials noted. “Connections between people and nature, neighborhoods and the river, and our community and its future.”

Mississippi Gateway Regional Park is located at 10360 West River Road, Brooklyn Park. Seasonal hours, program schedules, and facility information are available on the Three Rivers Park District website.

MinneapoliMedia