Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Anoka County Park in MN.
Pedestrian walkway across the Mississippi River in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. There's a limited flow of water going through the Coon Rapids Dam. People fish for walleye and carp. Someone caught 100 walleyes in one day, but they were too small and weren't in season. This is a great place to go walking, rollerblading, fishing, bicycling and picnicking.
Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park Makeover Continues
Construction on a new parking lot is now complete at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park. Park improvements will continue next year.
“That will be to finish regrading the road that goes down to the boat launch,” said Cyndi Olson from the Three Rivers Park District. “They’re going to be putting in a roundabout next summer down at the boat launch. Then, they are going to regrade the actual boat launch, which is just for canoes and kayaks.”
The final phase of the project could include a new visitors center and eventual name change.
First Phase of Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park Revamp
The city of Brooklyn Park and Three Rivers Park District are partnering together on the park improvements. Park goers will notice better parking and better lighting. Crews are installing better water filtration systems to keep parking lot runoff from getting into the Mississippi River.
“Speaking of the Mississippi River, people will have better access. There will be nice trails down to the water and to the dam itself,” said Patty Maher, outdoor education supervisor with Three Rivers Park District. “Bike users will really notice a difference too. They are going to be off of the driveway, which is what it used to be like. They will have their own access into the park on the regional trail.”
Maher says bikers will also have their own “rest stop,” which will include a bottle refilling station, water fountain and benches.
To learn more about the long-term Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park project, go to:
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Shannon Slatton, reporting
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Backyard Getaways: Coon Rapids Dam
The parks on both sides of the Coon Rapids Dam offer free concerts, nature trails, and much more.
One park for each side of the river
“I think it’s just a great opportunity for people to come out here and have a cool recreational experience without having to plan a lot of activities,” said Andy Soltvedt of the Anoka County Park system. “You’re not packing up the car for the weekend and loading all your stuff.”
Half of the park is in Brooklyn Park and the other half is in Coon Rapids. The cities are split by the Mississippi River, but are connected by a dam.
“I do think it’s really a feather in the cap for these cities, both Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids,” Soltvedt said. “They have this access point.”
The park is an outdoor playground in the northern burbs.
“It’s a really good experience,” said Mohamed Yasin of Brooklyn Park. “The breeze. The air coming at you from the side. It’s beautiful.”
The park is paradise for nature lovers and it gets multi-modal use.
“You see the dog walkers, you see the bikers, you see the pedestrians,” Soltvedt said. “It’s really kind of a central hub here which gets people out of the neighborhood and it gets you into a nice unique peaceful environment.”
History and more on the Anoka side
On the Anoka County side of the mighty Mississippi there is plenty of history. Once upon a time ox carts were a form of transportation.
“There’s actually some sections with in the park,” Soltvedt said, “where you can still see the ruts from the old carts that go back and fourth through the trail.”
Bird watching is popular in this part of the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park because the Mississippi is a major fly way.
“They come through with their nice big lens cameras,” Soltvedt said, “and can get some really cool shots of the migrating water fowl that come up and down the river ways.”
Another park perk is free concerts. People gather on 10 Thursdays in the summer to hear music in a unique setting.
“Great activity, 7 p.m., sun’s kind of cooling down, bands are cranked up,” Soltvedt said. “It’s a lot of fun. You get a thousand plus people into the park.”
Nature abounds on Brooklyn Park side
On the Hennepin County side of the muddy Mississippi there is an abundance of wildlife and at the visitors center too. The park is soon to be called Mississippi Gateway Regional Park.
“We do have the luxury of having a great big fish tank here that shows some of the fish that can be in the river,” said Michelle Bierma from the Three Rivers Park District. “There’s a mirror carp here along with a couple of long-nosed gar.”
Turtles are on display and there are many different kinds to see.
“Painted turtle there,” Bierma said pointing to a nearby fish tank. “Really common. They’re found in almost every Minnesota lake, stream and river.”
One of the coolest parts of the visitors center is an elevated back porch.
“It’s a little bit like a tree fort because you’re really at the tree top level to see what’s going on,” Bierma said. “Great birding spot and just a good spot to come and relax and listen to the sounds of the park.”
From hummingbirds to wildflowers to spectacular sunsets, nature’s magic is everywhere.
“It’s a wonderful place to be down on the river,” Bierma said. “To see herons and egrets and different species of ducks and hear lots of little birds.”
The Coon Rapids Dam
At the center of the park is the historic Coon Rapids Dam.
“It’s well over 100 years old now,” Soltvedt said. “It’s one of the older dams on the Mississippi.”
The dam controls the power and fury of the nation’s most famous river.
“Fast,” said park-goer Victoria Bird. “Running. It controls the water. It’s just very flowing. It’s excitement.”
“To be literally right on top of the Mississippi,” Soltvedt said, “you kind of feel that power of the water going underneath you and hearing those waves crash.”
The Hennepin County side of the park is 160 acres in size and has over two miles of trails along the river banks.
Eric Nelson, reporting
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Leaving Coon Rapids Dam and driving to Anoka, MN
I want a different mount for my camera. I need a mount for the top of my helmet. The camera attached to the side of my helmet never seems to catch the right angle. Even if it is pointed up it's viewing the pavement. I might be better off getting a different camera for next year. If I'm sitting up at a stop light you can see some of the buildings.
First flight of Osprey Chick 2009 Coon Rapids Dam
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Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton stresses need to upgrade the Coon Rapids Dam
Minnesota Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton as part of his invasive species initiative stressed the need for upgrading the Coon Rapids Dam on the Mississippi River as a barrier against Asian carp invading state waters. Dayton is proposing $16 million in bonding to upgrade the century-old dam.
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Big Stone Lake & Minnesota River Headwaters Dam Time-lapse - Ortonville, Minnesota
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Coon Rapids Dam Log Jam, 2012
Huge water on the mighty Mississippi in Coon Rapids, Minnesota on Memorial Day, 2012.
Coon Rapids vs Irondale (Full Game) - Baseball (4/19/1994)
Full game video of the Coon Rapids Cardinals vs Irondale Knights High School baseball game from 1994. This game was played April 19th, 1994 at Irondale High School (MN) and originally broadcast on KABL. Irondale won the game 18-8.
I'M SCOUTING AND I KNOW IT!
Scouting and I Know It. The music video parody to LMFAO-Sexy And I Know It, brought to you by the Boy Scouts of Troop 513 out of Coon Rapids, MN. This video was shot on location at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, with the involvement of almost half of the enlisted Scouts of our Troop, as well as parents and Webelos. Thanks to all viewers - please spread the word, tell your friends to view as well, and help us promote Scouting and Troop 513!
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Earth Day Clean-up Planned at Coon Rapids Dam
Every spring, old fishing line, hooks and lures can be found along the banks of the Mississippi river near the Coon Rapids Dam.
On Earth Day, the Three Rivers Park District is hosting a trash clean-up event to get the garbage out ahead of summer.
“It’s a chance for people to get out and enjoy the park and also help out the park by [removing] any litter that’s come down stream over the last year,” Allison Holzer with the Three Rivers Park District.
Trash bags and gloves will be handed out for the April 22nd event but Holzer recommends dressing for the weather and the possibility of mud.
“It’s just a fun thing for people to get out and do,” said Holzer.
The trash clean-up will take place between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, located at 10360 West River Road in Brooklyn Park.
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Recent rains and snow melt have begun to change the look of the newly re-exposed rapids at Minnesota Falls. These rapids have not been visible for more than 100 years, but now with the dam gone, the river is running free again over ancient granite outcrops. Paddlers from all over the state are being asked to come to Granite Falls on Saturday May 18th to run these new rapids to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the dedication of the MN River as a state water trail.
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35E and Hwy 13 in Lillydale, MN; home of the Pool & Yacht Club - St. Paul's Finest !!
Mississippi Regional Trail - Coon Rapids, MN
The Mississippi Regional Trail Corridor begins at the northwest corner of Coon Rapids and passes through the southern portion of the city beginning at 122nd Ave and Zea St., following the Wedgewood Trail to Coon Rapids Boulevard, passing through Dahlia Park and Riverview Parks to Mississippi Boulevard where it enters the Coon Rapids Regional Dam Park and exits the city at East River Road into Fridley.
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Students Mark Homecoming Week at CRHS
COON RAPIDS, Minn. -- It's homecoming week at Coon Rapids High School and that meant several special events including the crowning of a new king and queen.
On Tuesday morning, senior Sara Duffy was crowned homecoming queen during the coronation in the fieldhouse. As for the guys, Tom Koch, who's the son of mayor Jerry Koch, was crowned homecoming king. The two took a lap around the fieldhouse following the crowning ceremony.
On Wednesday evening, a little rain didn't dampen spirits at the annual homecoming parade.
Students involved in various activities at Coon Rapids High School made their way down the parade route along Northdale Boulevard. It's a chance for students to show off their school spirit.
Also making a special appearance in the parade, the state champion 12-year-old all-star team from the Coon Rapids Cardinal Little League.
The main event kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday night when the Cardinals host the Anoka Tornadoes. You can watch the football game live on CTN and check out the replays all weekend long. It will also be streamed live on our YouTube Channel.
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