December 30, 2010: Shingle Creek Hike (Minneapolis)

Join the hiking group for a hike along Shingle Creek in north Minneapolis from where the creek flows into the Mississippi River west towards its source. Shingle Creek, which crosses Brooklyn Township and the Brooklyn Center village, joining the Mississippi in the north edge of Minneapolis, had near its mouth the first shingle mill in this county, built in 1852. It flows through Palmer Lake, which was named before 1880 for a pioneer. The area is relatively flat and its few lakes, like Palmer Lake, are shallow and have swampy shores. Shingle Creek is a storm water run-off collector for Maple Grove and Plymouth and that storm water has caused severe erosion to the creek over the years. Brooklyn Center recently approved funding a restoration project for its part of the creek. The area that would eventually become Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park, including the Shingle Creek area, was not opened to settlement until after the U.S. government signed the Sioux Treaties of 1851 and 1852 opening up of new lands west of the Mississippi River. Prior to that time, the land was part of the Fort Snelling Reserve and was protected from European settlement by a separate treaty with the Dakota tribes. There are some exceptional Christmas lights along the course of the hike.

If driving: Take I-94 north from downtown Minneapolis to the Dowling Ave exit and go east (right) a couple of blocks to Washington Ave North, then turn north (left). Proceed up North Washington Avenue about one-third mile to Soo Avenue, where Washington Avenue becomes 41st Avenue North. Follow Soo Avenue into the regional park and to the parking lot/boat landing. We will meet at the parking lot.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 22; 26 . The closest bus service point appears to be the corner of Lyndale and 41st (Rte 22) or Lyndale and 49th (Rte 26). Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information

Interested hikers will reassemble after the hike at a nearby restaurant (Broadway Pizza, 2025 West River Road, Minneapolis) for dessert or dinner.

Map to the hike start point

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This page was last updated on November 29, 2010.