Minneapolis To Reopen 'Lesser Used' Parkways

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Wednesday announced it will begin to reopen the "lesser used" parkway sections in the city. Minneapolis parkways were closed in the spring to provide more walking space so pedestrians could follow social distancing practices and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Main Street SE from Hennepin Avenue to 3rd Ave SE will reopen Friday at 10 a.m.

East River Road, Lake of the Isles Parkway, and Nokomis Parkway will reopen 10 a.m. Monday. Park officials say these parkways had low pedestrian usage during their closures and will be impacted by upcoming construction project detours.

Bde Maka Ska Parkway, Cedar Lake Parkway, Lake Harriet Parkway and West River Parkway will remain closed to traffic and open for pedestrians to use.

"Given current available funding, MPRB is prioritizing extending closures for the most heavily used parkway spaces where added space for social distancing is most needed," said MPRB Board President Jono Cowgill in a statement.

"Providing parkway space for people has been incredibly successful and I look forward to providing more opportunities for opening up these spaces if funding becomes available in the future."

The Minnesota Department of Health and Center for Disease Control offer the following guidelines for social distancing in public to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Do not use parks if you feel sick or have symptoms, including fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat.
• Cover your cough with your elbow, don’t cough into your hands.
• Wash your hands immediately before and after visiting a park or trail.
• Maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other people that are not a part of your household.