The MCW Partnership redoubled its commitment to promoting
the Midtown Greenway by producing two very successful events
this year. The organization’s third-annual Arbor Day
event celebrated the newly completed connection between the
greenway and the recreational trails of the west metro. And
the first-ever Parade of Bikes took advantage of these trails
with a festive July 4 ride that drew hundreds of participants.
Trailhead Opening Highlights
Arbor Day Event
A major link in the regional greenway system officially opened
on Arbor Day when Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman
led the dedication ceremony for the new trailhead connecting
the west metro’s Southwest Corridor Trail to the Midtown
Greenway.
“We are beginning with this trail segment to knit together
the patchwork systems that make up Hennepin County,”
said Dorfman.
Other speakers included County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin,
Congressman Martin Sabo, St. Louis Park Mayor Jeff Jacobs,
Commissioner Jeffrey H. Olson of Three Rivers Park District,
Meg Forney of the West Calhoun Neighborhood Association,
Bob Corrick of the Midtown Greenway Coalition and Kelly Gosz
of Wells Fargo.
The ceremony took place at the new community gateway developed
by the West Calhoun Neighborhood Association at 31st Street
and Chowen Avenue South.
The tree planting that followed drew more than 100 volunteers,
including 50 from Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and a busload
of school-age visitors from around the country in town for
the annual conference of the National Youth Leadership Council.
Staff from the Tree Trust guided the volunteers, who made
quick work of planting 80 trees.
Parade of Bikes
Has Spectacular Debut
Bicycles decorated with streamers, balloons, fabric and foam
added to the festivities as more than 200 riders of all ages—in
many cases entire families—embarked on the first Parade
of Bikes, a July 4 bicycle rally beginning and ending in
the Midtown Greenway.
Members of the MCW Partnership came together to produce Parade
of Bikes, celebrating the Midtown Greenway and its links
to the regional trail system. The event also raised money
for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Target and Xcel Energy were
among the sponsors; the Midtown Greenway Coalition and the
Lake Street Council supported the Parade of Bikes, and partnership
counsel Smith Parker organized it pro bono. Mayor R.T. Rybak,
City Council Member Dean Zimmermann, County Commissioners
Peter McLaughlin and Gail Dorfman, Denny DeNarvaez of Abbott
Northwestern Hospital and Bob Corrick of the Midtown Greenway
Coalition were all on hand to kick off the event.
Parade of Bikes ran from the Midtown Greenway in south Minneapolis
to Hopkins and St. Louis Park and back on a 17-mile loop
of regional bike trails.
The event debuted as part of the Greenway Parade of Arts,
an Intermedia Arts production that also includes the popular
Art Car Parade, food, dancing, music and performance art.
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Wells Fargo Home Mortgage turned out 50 volunteers for the
Arbor Day tree planting.
Parade of Bikes attracted more than 200 riders, including
Bob Corrick of the Midtown Greenway Coalition and Mayor R.T.
Rybak.
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