Sections of West River Parkway and Lake Harriet Parkway open to trail users and close to automobile traffic to allow more space for social distancing this spring Opening Monday for walking, biking and rolling: The northbound lane of West River Parkway between 4th Avenue N and 11th Avenue S, and Lake Harriet Parkway between W Minnehaha Parkway and W 43rd Street

Sections of West River Parkway and Lake Harriet Parkway open to trail users and close to automobile traffic to allow more space for social distancing this spring

On April 7 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Commissioners passed Resolution 2021-169, which opens sections of two parkways – Lake Harriet Parkway between W Minnehaha Parkway and W 43rd Street and one lane of West River Parkway between 4th Avenue N and 11th Avenue S – for walkers, bikers and rollers and closes them to automobile traffic. The southbound lane of West River Parkway will remain open to vehicles; the northbound lane will close to automobile traffic.

The trails adjacent to these parkways have been busy this spring, while COVID-19 is still a threat to public health. Allowing trail traffic to spread out into the parkways will allow greater separation of park users for social distancing as directed by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The parkway changes will go into effect by 10 am, Monday, April 12 and remain in place through May 31, 2021.