photo: Monica Bryand

EAST SIDE RIVER DISTRICT

Long disconnected from the surrounding community, this area of the river has many shared uses, including Dakota homeland and sacred sites, industry, parks and recreation, and natural areas that serve as a bird migration route. Great River Passage Conservancy is partnering with local, state and tribal governments, businesses and nonprofits to create a world class vision for the East Side River District, where historically incompatible uses can comfortably coexist and:

  • Reveal the complex systems and stories of the area
  • Heal a compromised landscape
  • Connect to and throughout the area
  • Protect sacred and significant sites
Location

East of downtown Saint Paul, the 1,000-acre East Side River District includes the area bound by the Mississippi River on the south and west and the bluffs to the east and north. This area is on the Mississippi flyway bird migration route, and includes Pigs Eye Park and Pigs Eye Island Heron Rookery Scientific and Natural Area.

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Project Timeline

Currently:
Great River Passage Conservancy is currently raising public and private funds to begin getting a general idea of the look and feel of the project. Deep community engagement – modeled on the engagement of our River Learning Center and River Balcony projects – will ensure that community voice drives the East Side River District project.

Funders

Age-Friendly Minnesota
National Endowment for the Arts
REI Cooperative Action Fund