Background

LHiNC has been involved in improving and maintaining the Trolley Path Naturescape for decades. LHiNC originally funded and organized the construction of the current pathway, running between Zenith & Xerxes Ave, using Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program funding. Since then, LHiNC has been engaged in maintaining the space to varying degrees, based on volunteer and neighbor engagement.

This stretch of land is a city-owned right of way. While the city owns the land, the MPRB’s Southwest Service Area Master Plan calls for the Trolley Path to one day become a park space, owned and operated by MPRB. As of 2024, MPRB did not expect any changes to site ownership in the foreseeable future. Until the right of way becomes parkland, LHiNC will continue its stewardship.

Current Status

LHiNC committed to a new three-year grant for the revitalization of the trolley path naturescape in 2021, which focused on increasing and protecting native plants, trees and shrubs. Volunteers completed this three-year project in 2023. LHiNC continues to support this space through annual stipends for two lead volunteers, who coordinate volunteer involvement and care for the naturescape (weeding, pruning, watering, etc.).

If you are interested in volunteering on the pathway this summer, please reach out to us at info@lindenhills.org to be put in contact with our lead volunteers!

Next Steps

In addition to our ongoing care of the current naturescape, LHiNC has been leading a push to extend the naturescape through Abbott (one block to the west). We are currently gathering letters of support from all adjacent neighbors to support our application for a neighborhood garden permit with Public Works.

Past Community Updates

Update from Feb 16, 2025

We connected with Public Works to discuss our site plan and made slight changes to improve the likeliness of approval. We have shared the plans with each adjacent property owner and are continuing to work closely with them on minor revisions. We hope to have letters of support from each neighbor finalized by spring 2025 and then immediately submit our application to Public Works.

The next steps are:

• Collect letters of support from remaining adjacent neighbors.

• Submit the renderings and letters of community support to Public Works for final approval

• Regroup volunteers to being implementation planning

Update from May 11, 2024

In a community meeting held on May 6, 2024, residents and members of the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council met to discuss the limitations that have been put forth by the City of Mpls Public Works Department. Specifically, Public Works shared that car access to this block (44th Street, between Abbott and Zenith) must be kept in place. The only way to remove car access from this area is via a Capital Project, which would be a multi-year effort.

Public Works had proposed an alternative option — a crushed limestone path — that allows for meaningful incremental and aesthetic improvement, while maintain the necessary access. Members of the audience voiced unanimous support for this compromise.

The next steps are:

• For a member of LHiNC to update the renderings, and submit them to Public Works for initial review.

• Share the updated renderings with the adjacent neighbors for approval.

• Submit the renderings and letters of community support to Public Works for final approval and implementation.

Update from August 2, 2023

A LHiNC Advisory Committee has been working on a proposal to expand the Trolley Path just north of 44th Street to include the block between Abbott and Zenith. On August 2, the committee shared its proposed plan with the community during LHiNC’s monthly board meeting.

You can watch the recording of that presentation and view the proposed plan below. If you would like to provide feedback on this first draft of the path, please email your comments/ideas/questions to enviro@lindenhills.org.

Trolley Path Expansion Proposal – LHiNC Board Meeting, August 2, 2023

Learn more about the Trolley Path Project below:

The Linden Hills Neighborhood Council is interested in your input on a proposed extension of the Trolley Path Naturescape (see map above). LHiNC has formed a Trolley Path Advisory Committee made up of residents, business owners and board members; the committee is proposing extending the Trolley Path Naturescape, which currently runs from Xerxes to Zenith, through the block of Zenith to Abbott. It’s a city-owned right of way, and the city is open to LHiNC making community-supported improvements. 

Before the committee formulates a plan, we want to hear from you! How can you provide feedback?

1. Take the survey, Now - July 10
   Read details of the project (below) and provide feedback by taking this survey by July 10.

2. Participate in a site walk on July 10 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
   Learn about the current naturescape and constraints of this project. Share your input on what you’d like to see on the path while we walk the site and/or during a discussion directly following the walk. We will meet at the corner of Zenith and 44th at 6:00 p.m. The group will walk the site for 30-60 minutes. You can provide feedback during the walk or join the Advisory Committee for a 30-minute discussion at the Linden Hills Recreation Center directly following the walk.

3. Join the Trolley Path Advisory Committee
   To facilitate this effort, LHiNC has created an advisory committee to gather community input
   and create a plan for the site which can be shared with the city. The advisory committee will meet a few times this summer to synthesize community input and draft the site model. To participate in the advisory committee, please share your contact information in the survey or send an email to enviro@lindenhills.org.

Background and Project Details

The Trolley Path from Chowen Ave South to Lake Harriet Parkway has been designated as a Potential Park in the Southwest Service Area Master Plan. However, only the section between Abbott and Zenith is in scope for this effort. While the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board aspires for the entire right of way to eventually become a park, there are no near-term plans for the space to formally become one. 

Project constraints include: 

• Public Works needs to maintain access to the eastern half of the path in order to service adjacent businesses. The exact width of access is yet to be determined, however, we expect that roughly half of the right of way on the eastern side of the block will be available for the naturescape. 

• As mentioned above, the long-term vision for this entire right of way is a park. We will make improvements knowing that they may be altered if/when a park is put in place.

• City and park restrictions limit the installation of items that could pose a risk to the public. This classification is broad and will restrict our group to a pathway and plantings.  

Project Schedule:

• June 30th – July 10th: Online Survey

• July 10th – Site walk, 6:00-7:30 p.m.

• July 18th – Advisory Committee Meeting, 7:00-8:30 p.m.

• August 2nd – Initial presentation of site model at August LHiNC board meeting, 7:00 p.m.

• August 6th – Share model and collect input at Linden Hills Farmers Market booth

• Early September – Advisory Committee Meeting, Review final neighborhood recommendation and prepare for submission to the city