Trolley Path Expansion: Community Updates
Update as of 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 as of 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.
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?
- Take the survey, Now-July 10
Read details of the project (below) and provide feedback by taking this survey by July 10. - Participate in a site walk on July 10, 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. - 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
