Two Decades In The Making: Graco Park near Boom Island now open to the public

After two decades in the making, Graco Park near Boom Island and under the Plymouth Avenue Bridge is now open to the public.

"I'm blown away by this, I walked here for the first time today seeing the schematics and actually walking here is absolutely incredible," says Superintendent for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Al Bangoura.

This project will actually connect several parks together.

"We have even the 26 overlook," Bangoura says. "That's kind of a connection all the way to Ole Olson Park, and then you can ride your bike all the way to Minnehaha Falls."

And it has some amazing features according to Kevin Reich with the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.

"Geothermal heated sidewalks, and what's important about, not having to shovel, but what it's really about from our perspective is not getting that salt, which is so poisonous to our rivers, in the river," explained Reich.

The opening is actually a major milestone considering it took two decades for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's vision to become reality. Even more special is that the park is on hallowed ground.

"We collectively acknowledge that the Minneapolis Park and Recreation system is located on traditional ancestral and contemporary lands of our indigenous people ," Bangoura said Wednesday. "This land holds great historical, spiritual and personal significance for its original stewards, the native nations including the Dakota and the Ojibwa people.

The nine acre park also includes the restored Halls Island, plus new trails, walkways and much more. Phase 2 will open in 2025 and will connect the riverfront trail to Boom Island.