Graco Park

Graco Park is a newly developed nine-acre park situated in Northeast Minneapolis along the Mississippi River, just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge. It is uniquely located between Boom Island Park and the Graco Inc. headquarters, and incorporates Hall’s Island, which was restored in 2018. This park represents Minneapolis's ongoing effort to transform its northern riverfront into an accessible, community-oriented space while preserving and enhancing ecological habitats.

The park features a variety of amenities designed to cater to both recreational and ecological goals. It includes walking paths, a river promenade with event space, and a landscaped river landing. Visitors can enjoy public art installations, such as the “Timber Markers,” which honor the area’s lumber history. Another feature is the outdoor stage with sloped, grassy seating, ideal for performances. Graco Park is also home to picnic tables and gathering spaces surrounded by freshly planted trees and native vegetation, including a pollinator lawn supporting the Mississippi Flyway.

Green infrastructure is integral to the park's design. Stormwater is managed through infiltration basins and vegetation, significantly reducing runoff pollution to the Mississippi River. Construction continues on the River Hub, a 4,000-square-foot Net Zero building set to open in 2025. This facility will include features such as the Spark’d Studio, performance spaces, public bathrooms, geothermal and solar energy systems, and heated sidewalks for winter safety.

Graco Park not only offers recreational opportunities but also serves as a model of ecological restoration and sustainability, blending urban amenities with restored natural habitats along the riverfront.