February 10, 2011: Western Portion of the Midtown Greenway (Minneapolis)

Join the hiking group for an urban hike along the Minneapolis Midtown Greenway Trail, a recently developed rail corridor hiking and biking trail in south Minneapolis. The Midtown Greenway is a nonstop bicycle highway and walking path within a wider Greenway corridor, parallel to and north of Lake Street. When completed, the Midtown Greenway will connect the Chain of Lakes with the Mississippi River. West of Hiawatha Avenue, the corridor runs along 29th Street and east of Hiawatha Avenue, its runs along 27th Street. The long-term plan is for mass transit to co-exist alongside the cycling and walking paths. The Greenway passes between Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun and through the Uptown area of the city. The West End is the most urbanized and densely populated of any section along the greenway. The bicycle and walking paths in this segment are at grade from Chowen Avenue to Hennepin Avenue and are in a trench from Hennepin Avenue eastward.

If driving: Take I-394 to Highway 100 and proceed south on Highway 100 to Excelsior Boulevard/County Highway 3. Go east/northeast on Excelsior Boulevard to the junction with West 32nd Street and turn west (left) onto West 32nd Street and proceed west approximately one block to Chowen Avenue South. Turn north (right) on Chowen Avenue South and proceed to the spot where Chowen Ave South turns into 31st Street West. Park on the street on Chowen Avenue South and meet at the point where Chowen Avenue South turns into 31st Street West.

Alternative Driving Directions: From Nicollet Avenue and Lake Street just south of downtown Minneapolis, take Lake Street west to the Lake Calhoun area and where Excelsior Boulevard veers off of Lake Street to the southwest (veer left), follow Excelsior Boulevard. About 2/10ths of a mile after the veer onto Excelsior Boulevard, turn north (right) onto Abbott Avenue South and proceed to 31st Street West.

Proceed on 31st Street West about 1/10th of a mile to where 31st Street West terminates and becomes Chowen Avenue South. Park along the street on Chowen Avenue South.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 12, 17. The closest bus service point appears to be the corner of Lake Street and Excelsior Boulevard. From that corner, walk west/southwest about two blocks to the assembly spot where Chowen Avenue South and 31st Street West meet . Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information

The group will reconvene at a nearby restaurant (Punch Pizza, 3226 W. Lake Street, Minneapolis) after the hike for dinner or dessert.

Map to hike start point: Chowen Ave South & 31st Street West Minneapolis MN

Minneapolis Midtown Greenway map

Minneapolis street map

Minneapolis Midtown Greenway website

Back to the Thursday Night Hikes homepage

This webpage was last updated on January 24, 2011.