New projects headline park celebration in St. Paul

Officials today are touting three St. Paul parks on the Mississippi River near downtown.

By CHRIS HAVENS, Star Tribune

Last update: October 7, 2008 - 5:39 PM

The completion of projects at two parks on the Mississippi River are giving St. Paul officials reason to celebrate.

Today is National Great River Park Day in the city, and Mayor Chris Coleman and other officials are giving walking tours of Raspberry Island and Upper Landing Park. Tours also will be given at Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, and people are encouraged to tell their stories of the area for recording.

Multimillion-dollar construction projects wrapped up in late summer at Raspberry Island and Upper Landing. The Trust for Public Land handed over 1.8 acres to the city for the nature sanctuary in July.

All three areas are part of the National Great River Park program. Established in 2006, the program aims to transform the city's 17 miles of riverfront into a cohesive system of parks, high-density development, trails and other amenities. The three guiding principles are to make St. Paul's riverfront more natural, while also more urban and more connected to its visitors.

"The completion of these two parks helps build our connection to St. Paul's most significant natural resource, the river. The stunning walking trails and truly unique park features will continue to fuel neighborhood and community development in St. Paul," Coleman said.

Events start at 11:30 a.m. at the nature sanctuary, 12:15 p.m. at Raspberry Island and 12:45 p.m. at Upper Landing. All are welcome. Here's a quick look at the three areas:

Raspberry Island

It got its name in the 1880s, although from 1945 to 1995 it was known as Navy Island.

Lying in the shadows of the Wabasha Street bridge, the 2.2-acre island has a restored shoreline, 131 new trees and 1,400 wildflowers, and seating areas made of recycled granite pavers. The island shares space with the Minnesota Boat Club and the Schubert Club Band Shell.

It's a park intended for small events, weddings and concerts. The parks and rec department will show movies on the island next summer.

Upper Landing Park

Upper Landing Park is at Shepard Road and Chestnut Street on the north side of the river. It sits next to a major housing development on land that used to be known as the flood-prone Little Italy.

The recently completed Chestnut Plaza showcases a reflecting fountain pool that sends water down a series of waterfalls toward the river. While the plaza area is covered in pavers, grass stretches down river. Fountains and benches accent the area.

It's an area intended for picnics, weddings and other events.

Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary

The land has undergone many changes in recent years, and there's no stopping anytime soon. The goal is to build an interpretive center that will tell the history of the land, the industry and people of the area. It is east of downtown at the foot of Dayton's Bluff.

A former rail yard that had become an illegal dumping ground, the land holds cultural and historical significance.

It was acquired for the city in 2002, cleaned and opened to the public in 2005. It's now home to bald eagles, great blue herons and acres of restored woodlands and wetlands. It's linked to miles of trails.

For more information on the parks or how to rent spaces in them, go to www.stpaul.gov.

Chris Havens • 651-298-1542

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