November 12, 2009: North Mississippi Regional Park Hike (Minneapolis)

Join the group for an exploration of this joint Hennepin Regional Parks System/Minneapolis Park Board park and for an amble along the west bank of the Mississippi River. The park features the Carl W. Kroening Interpretive Center, named for a retired Minneapolis legislator who represented the area. Nearby Dowling Avenue was named for Michael Dowling (1866-1921.) At age 14, Dowling was caught in a blizzard, spent the night in a haystack, froze his arms and legs, and ultimately had one arm and both legs amputated. Undaunted by this tragedy, Dowling went on to become a teacher in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota, in 1884, principal of the East Granite Falls, Minnesota, public schools in 1886, principal of the Renville, Minnesota, public schools in 1887, co-owner and co-publisher of the Renville, Minnesota, Renville Star in 1889, insurance salesman in the Upper Midwest and in Canada from 1890 to 1892, owner of the Renville Star and the Renville Farmer in 1892, assistant clerk of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1893, the elected secretary of the National Republican League in 1895, co-owner of the Renville, Minnesota, bank, chief clerk of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1897, the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1900 after being elected to the Legislature, owner of the Olivia, Minnesota, bank in 1902, Olivia, Minnesota, mayor from 1912 to 1914, the Superintendent of the Minneapolis Public Schools, the Education Commissioner of the United States, and the President of the Minnesota Bankers Association. Dowling married Jennie Leonharda Bordewich. He also was an ardent advocate for the disabled, leading to the establishment of the Michael Dowling School in South Minneapolis and the Michael Dowling Hall at the Gillette Crippled Childrens Hospital. The hike is just across the river from the Minneapolis Water Works, with the original plant built between 1913-1918 and being replaced by a new ultrafiltration plant adjoining the original plant. The Minneapolis Water Works pumps 25 billion gallons of water annually (70 million gallons per day on average; 180 million gallons per day at peak summer output) through 1000 miles of water main. The Minneapolis Water Works was established in 1867 to provide water for firefighting and began providing drinking water in 1872.

If driving:Take I-94 north from downtown Minneapolis to the Dowling Ave exit and go east (right) a couple of blocks to Washington Ave North, then turn north (left). Proceed up North Washington Avenue about one-third mile to Soo Avenue, where Washington Avenue becomes 41st Avenue North. Follow Soo Avenue into the regional park and proceed on the winding road to the parking lot/boat landing area. We will meet at the parking lot.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 22; 26 . The closest bus service point appears to be the corner of Lyndale and 41st (Rte 22) or Lyndale and 49th (Rte 26). Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information

Interested hikers will reassemble after the hike at a nearby restaurant (Broadway Pizza, 2025 West River Road, Minneapolis) for dessert or dinner.

Map to the hike start point: 41st Avenue North and Soo Avenue, Minneapolis MN

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This webpage was last updated on October 27, 2009.