Minneapolis plans barricades or bollards for some extra space in outdoor areas

It came as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's stay-at-home order goes into effect. Outdoor exercise is permitted, provided that people stay at least 6 feet apart.

March 28, 2020 at 1:32AM
The eastbound lane of Main Street in Minneapolis from Third Avenue to the Stone Arch Bridge will be closed to make for extra space.
The eastbound lane of Main Street in Minneapolis from Third Avenue to the Stone Arch Bridge will be closed to make for extra space. (Vince Tuss/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

To encourage social distancing, the city of Minneapolis said it plans to "enhance" some outdoor spaces by adding barricades or bollards to protect bicyclists or pedestrians.

It comes as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's stay-at-home order goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. Friday. Outdoor exercise is permitted under the order, provided that people stay at least 6 feet apart.

Those changes will affect: Plymouth Avenue North; West 36th Street, from Dupont Avenue to Bde Maka Ska; and 26th Avenue South between 9th Street and Franklin Avenue. The eastbound lane of Main Street from Third Avenue to the Stone Arch Bridge will be closed. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announced that it will close the Lake Harriet Parkway to traffic, starting Friday night. Lake Nokomis Parkway will close to traffic starting at 5 p.m. Monday and open to pedestrians Tuesday. Bike paths will remain open, where they exist. A day earlier, the Park Board announced it was closing off sections of two parkways that run along the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis, following demands to keep vehicles off the street so park users could have more space.

A family takes a walk around Lake Harriet as a Canada goose family, center right, enjoys the open water Friday, March 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. Gov. Tim Walz issued a stay-at-home order effective at midnight Friday to help stop the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Walz's order calls on Minnesotans who work in nonessential jobs to stay home when possible for two weeks, though they may go out for essential needs such as trips to the supermarket and pharmacy, doctor visits and for outdoor re
A family takes a walk around Lake Harriet as a Canada goose family, center right, enjoys the open water Friday, March 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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about the writer

Liz Navratil

Reporter

Liz Navratil covers communities in the western Twin Cities metro area. She previously covered Minneapolis City Hall as leaders responded to the coronavirus pandemic and George Floyd’s murder.

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