Saint Paul's east metro area possesses an extensive network of bicycle/pedestrian trails including the Bruce Vento Regional Trail, which connects to the Gateway Trail, and the Mounds Park Trail, which connects to the Battle Creek Park Trail.

With support from the McNeely Foundation, McKnight Foundation and others, Lower Phalen Creek Project has been working to raise awareness of the trail system as a community asset and increase use. We have installed multiple "wayfinding" signs at key points along the trail, sponsored events and developed a popular East Side park and trail guide - to download, Click Here

Improving the connection into Lowertown

The Bruce Vento Regional Trail extension, opened to the public in 2007, extends the Bruce Vento Regional Trail out of Swede Hollow Park, connects with the Mounds Park Trails and feeds both trails into the Lowertown district of downton via Fourth and Fifth Streets. The connection includes an overlook from an abandoned rail bridge over Fourth Street and other interesting features. Due to construction for the Lafayette Bridge and Central Corridor Operations and Maintenance facility, the portion of the link along Fifth Street has been closed frequently.

As infrastructure improvements take place in the area, Lower Phalen Creek Project is working hard to make sure connectively is maintained to the extent possible and, ideally, improved by rerouting the trail connection along Prince Street. Planning efforts for the land between the sanctuary and Lowertown include redeveloping this long-neglected area with urban agriculture operations and potential recreational use. An innovative stormwater reuse program is also being discussed. Lower Phalen Creek Project is working to achieve both an improved trail connection and more beneficial land use in the area as part of the Greater Lowertown Master Plan Task Force. For a fact sheet, Click Here

New Aguirre Avenue connection appears likely

Lower Phalen Creek Project and the District 5 Payne/Phalen Planning Council have been working to generate support for a connection from Payne Avenue to the Bruce Vento Regional Trail at Eastside Heritage Park. This short connection, to be installed as an extension of Aguirre Avenue, will effectively link the trail network to a key commercial and residential area. The project was highly ranked in the 2011 Capital Improvement Budget.

Direct connection to the Mississippi is partially funded and in the planning phase

Creating this direct link to the Mississippi River has been a long-term community goal, and $1.2 million in federal support was secured, with the support of Congresswoman Betty McCollum, for initial planning and design.

With technical assistance from the National Park Service's Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, a planning process was initiated in November 2005 and a task force was formed with representation from Saint Paul Public Works and Parks and Recreation, Lower Phalen Creek Project, Minnesota Department of Transportation, MNRRA, District 4, District 17, Ramsey County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation, Friends of the Parks and Trails of Saint Paul and Ramsey County and others.

The task force examined a wide range of options for achieving the connection, including tunnels, an at-grade crossing of Warner Road and use of existing structures such as the Kellogg Bridge. After numerous meetings and a site visit, the task force identified two options for making the connection between the Bruce Vento Regional Trail and sanctuary and the Mississippi River: 1) A pedestrian/bicycle bridge over both Warner Road and the railroad tracks. or 2) A bridge over the railroad tracks with a tunnel under Warner Road. Both connection options extend from a pedestrian/bicycle trail into the sanctuary off of the new Lower Phalen Creek Trail.

Planning for the trail connection had been stalled for several years but is restarting in summer 2011. Plans for a new rail infrastructure in the area, including a "flyover" immediately adjacent to the sanctuary, significantly affect the project. Based on preliminary data, the tunnel option does not appear to be feasible and bridge heights may change. Once engineers have identified several bridge options, there will be a community meeting to gather input. This meeting is tentatively planned for fall 2011.

For more information on trail connections, contact Sarah Clark at sclarkmmc@comcast.net, 651.290.0002.