Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward

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  A Poetic Place by JBM

  by Judith B Miller, almost 2 years ago

  For the last forty plus years I have hiked, birded, and recorded wildflowers throughout the seasons along the multiple portions of 9-Mile Creek. My favorite trail leads from Harrison Park to the Minnesota River. It is an awesome trail with its meandering path providing inspiration to photographers, painters, and poets. While there are many bike trails, there are few such places which provide such an opportunity for serenity and creative expression. Just this week, I wrote the following in an attempt to capture the “poetry of place”, a view from the upper trail. It’s titled, “An Island on a Hill”... Continue reading

  For the last forty plus years I have hiked, birded, and recorded wildflowers throughout the seasons along the multiple portions of 9-Mile Creek. My favorite trail leads from Harrison Park to the Minnesota River. It is an awesome trail with its meandering path providing inspiration to photographers, painters, and poets. While there are many bike trails, there are few such places which provide such an opportunity for serenity and creative expression. Just this week, I wrote the following in an attempt to capture the “poetry of place”, a view from the upper trail. It’s titled, “An Island on a Hill”. (please note that the original layout of the poem doesn't seem to work in this space.)

  
  

  Her steep banks slope softly to the east,

  catching the morning rays and warmth of sunlight;

  far below the creek meanders to the river.

  Hush, now. Hear the water’s music rushing over rocks!

  
  

  Up here an empty bench waits:

  inviting calm, peace, reflection without

  mirrors, a familiarity like old slippers.

  Countless number of years, I have made

  my way to this sacred place;

  arriving here today is like a joyous

  reunion with an old friend.

  I laugh thinking how in my youth

  I barreled up the steep wooded path,

  now, simply grateful for the hiking poles

  aiding my climb.

  
  

  I inhale the view before me

  longing to paint this scene,

  forever capturing the beauty of the

  the moment but I only have words.

  
  

  Here airy fairylike prairie larkspur sway

  with a musicality all their own;

  their lightness seeming to nullify

  the heavily laden lead plants,

  soon to swell in lavender pink radiance,

  among the fiery butterfly weeds.

  
  

  Winding my way through this prairie island,

  surveying the flowers, grasses, and insects,

  the short path leads me back to the bench,

  inviting bird song, time to sit, to miss

  a life gone before me, friends and family lost,

  dreams yet to fill, words to write,

  hope to give to those who think

  beauty is gone and a prayer that

  this prairie jewel endures.
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  Biking trails would be greatly appreciated!

  by dnguyen1, almost 2 years ago
  I have lived in the center of Bloomington near I-35W and 90th St for my entire life. It has been a bit disheartening to see that while western and southern Bloomington have great bike infrastructure, such as the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve complex and the network of trails along the Minnesota River, other parts, such as the north and east, have been left largely without. A bike path along Nine Mile Creek would provide an outlet of safe and low-stress recreation, especially for youth. Connections to the Minnesota River and Oak Grove schools could provide further use for this trail... Continue reading

  I have lived in the center of Bloomington near I-35W and 90th St for my entire life. It has been a bit disheartening to see that while western and southern Bloomington have great bike infrastructure, such as the Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes Park Reserve complex and the network of trails along the Minnesota River, other parts, such as the north and east, have been left largely without. A bike path along Nine Mile Creek would provide an outlet of safe and low-stress recreation, especially for youth. Connections to the Minnesota River and Oak Grove schools could provide further use for this trail. I don't think it's fair to say that bike trails would destroy this natural beauty. The existing walking trails exist only because the City built them in the past. I believe that there is a way to create a bike trail (and with it, the aforementioned benefits) while preserving this area.
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  A place I am lucky to call HOME!

  by Pad D., almost 2 years ago

  A little over a year and a half ago, my wife and I were living in a townhouse apartment on the west side of the Midway neighborhood. The lease was up for renewal and our landlord, a slummy nationwide company, was trying to increase our rent by over 8%. Initially I had always dreamed of moving away from the cold weather and didn't even consider moving to the suburbs once my wife was done with school but this event sent us into having to change our plans and we chose to find a place around the twin cities to settle... Continue reading

  A little over a year and a half ago, my wife and I were living in a townhouse apartment on the west side of the Midway neighborhood. The lease was up for renewal and our landlord, a slummy nationwide company, was trying to increase our rent by over 8%. Initially I had always dreamed of moving away from the cold weather and didn't even consider moving to the suburbs once my wife was done with school but this event sent us into having to change our plans and we chose to find a place around the twin cities to settle down. Of course the timing was terrible for looking for a home, interest rates had come back up to where they were pre-covid, yet the housing prices were continuing to skyrocket still. We didn't have much of a choice though, it was that or apartment living at astronomical rates for another year, something I couldn't see myself doing any longer.

  I quickly started searching for homes in the area, drew about a 20 mile radius around minneapolis and searched for lot sizes of 1/2 acre or larger... It didn't take long to realize that these were few and far to come by, as my search came up with a whopping 3 houses! We looked at one in Inver Grove but it didn't tickle our fancy being on a main drag. The next was a very small and rather unfinished house in Mendota Heights, also on a main drag but with a beautiful garden and shed space. The 3rd and final house we looked at was here in Bloomington, backing up to the 9-mile creek corridor.

  Surprisingly to myself, this house had actually come down in price since being listed and desperately needed some outdoor TLC as many things looked to have been neglected over the years for whatever reason and I think that detered a lot of home buyers from putting in an offer. But as soon as I saw this place, I knew I had to live here. Driving south from 106th and to the property made me feel like I was 4 hours north driving to a cabin for the weekend. The stress of home-buying was gone as soon as I got back here. I couldn't believe how much old growth there was back here and how much potential there was to have the property that I had always dreamed of, but in Minnesota of all places! We put in an offer and were accepted almost immediately. Over the course of our month of closing, my wife and I would come down here again almost nightly just to experience the nature bathing that many others have expressed as well.
  
  I now get to call this wonderful place home and I simply cannot put into words how amazing it is to live 15-20 minutes from a major metropolitan area while having a virtual state-park experience right out my backdoor! I never thought I would buy a house here before moving here but now I can't imagine living anywhere else, this place is magical and needs to be preserved forever. Central Park, Moir, this whole area is simply amazing, albeit a bit buggy in the summer (but what can you expect, its basically a rainforest here). We are so lucky to have this amazing park here in our city and we should really work together to ensure that the city doesn't bulldoze the massive trees to make a highway for roadbikes to get the riverway..
  
  I've unfortunately already got bad knees, must be hereditary because I am still fairly young compared to most of my neighbors around here. So walking on city sidewalks isn't much of any option for me. But walking on dirt or rocks or uneven terrain is very therapeutic for me. I can't imagine the area down there with paved trails, I think that would attract the wrong audience to the park and ruin the ability to have a sanctuary to nature bathe in for those who need it.
  
  Please don't ruin what makes this place so special and instead use the funds to restore the area to how it was before the invasives were here and/or put in a raised walking trail for the area over the bog that floods every spring for months out of the year!
• Share Mountain Bike trails should be added to Nine Mile creek corridor on Facebook Share Mountain Bike trails should be added to Nine Mile creek corridor on Twitter Share Mountain Bike trails should be added to Nine Mile creek corridor on Linkedin Email Mountain Bike trails should be added to Nine Mile creek corridor link

  Mountain Bike trails should be added to Nine Mile creek corridor

  by Chris Wallace, almost 2 years ago

  Mountain biking trails would be a great addition to the corridor. I Mountain Bike often on the trails along the river and it is disheartening to see how on the east side of 35w they have prioritized a huge walking path at the expense of the previous MTB trails along the river. Mountain biking popularity has increase dramatically over the past few years and it only makes sense that Bloomington include it in the corridor plans. The path could connect to the current trails by the river. Also because trees don’t need to be cut down for MTB trails, more... Continue reading

  Mountain biking trails would be a great addition to the corridor. I Mountain Bike often on the trails along the river and it is disheartening to see how on the east side of 35w they have prioritized a huge walking path at the expense of the previous MTB trails along the river. Mountain biking popularity has increase dramatically over the past few years and it only makes sense that Bloomington include it in the corridor plans. The path could connect to the current trails by the river. Also because trees don’t need to be cut down for MTB trails, more of the natural environment could be preserved along the corridor.
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  We love the meandering walking path!

  by millersbran, almost 2 years ago
  We moved to Bloomington in 2019, and have loved exploring our new city! One of our favorite finds has been walking many of the Nine-Mile Creek trails, finding the various entrances onto the trail, and enjoying the natural beauty with friends and family. Our most commonly-used parking area is the Harrison Picnic Grounds, from which we walk down the trail and sometimes turn around and walk back, sometimes come up onto street level at the 106th Street bridge entrance, cross over to Moir Park, and then back onto the trail to return to Harrison. I also have loved being able... Continue reading

  We moved to Bloomington in 2019, and have loved exploring our new city! One of our favorite finds has been walking many of the Nine-Mile Creek trails, finding the various entrances onto the trail, and enjoying the natural beauty with friends and family. Our most commonly-used parking area is the Harrison Picnic Grounds, from which we walk down the trail and sometimes turn around and walk back, sometimes come up onto street level at the 106th Street bridge entrance, cross over to Moir Park, and then back onto the trail to return to Harrison. I also have loved being able to get down to the river and walk alongside it, all the way to the 35W bridge and back. Seeing much wildlife and exploring the area has been one of our delights!

  Needless to say, the potential of changing the lovely path to a straight bike path holds no appeal to us, and we would like to voice our opinion that this change should not be made!

  
  

  
  
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  Nine Mile Creek

  by MrWrestlingII, almost 2 years ago
  I’ve lived in Bloomington for most of my life as my family moved here in 1968.

  
  I believe the city counsel should be working towards protecting the creek corridor from further development. The creek corridor is the jewel of our city. Building even bigger bridges and paving south of 106th St will only degrade what makes the area so special.
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  I’ve lived in Bloomington for most of my life as my family moved here in 1968.

  
  I believe the city counsel should be working towards protecting the creek corridor from further development. The creek corridor is the jewel of our city. Building even bigger bridges and paving south of 106th St will only degrade what makes the area so special.
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
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  Mountain biking trails Please!

  by Ben Mueller, almost 2 years ago
  As a long time Bloomington resident (25 years) and avid biker I have watched the meteoric rise in popularity of mountain biking and was confused by Bloomington's lack of developing trail systems to satisfy the demand by their residents.

  
  

  Many neighboring metro cities have capitalizing on this trend by building out mountain biking trail systems while Bloomington has been left behind....

  I have spent a lot of time in Nine mile creek/Moir park area and the unique topology would provide the base for a premier mountain biking trail system if we realize the opportunity.

  A surprising amount of trail can... Continue reading

  As a long time Bloomington resident (25 years) and avid biker I have watched the meteoric rise in popularity of mountain biking and was confused by Bloomington's lack of developing trail systems to satisfy the demand by their residents.

  
  

  Many neighboring metro cities have capitalizing on this trend by building out mountain biking trail systems while Bloomington has been left behind....

  I have spent a lot of time in Nine mile creek/Moir park area and the unique topology would provide the base for a premier mountain biking trail system if we realize the opportunity.

  A surprising amount of trail can be built in a relatively small area. The impact on environment and sustainability can be managed and is well documented. To anyone who would argue otherwise i would encourage them to go observe other local trail systems to see the benefits first hand.

  Please consider helping Bloomington catch up and develop a truly unique recreational resource.
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  Mountain biking is an economic benefit

  by Michael Bigger, almost 2 years ago
  I’ve spent many years walking the paths along Nine Mile Creek and Moir Park and have always thought it would make an excellent area to develop a mountain biking trail system. The economic and health benefits to the community would be great. See the benefits at Cuyuna, Battle Creek, Lebanon Hills, Murphy-Hanrehan or Elm Creek for examples. Please approve the plan to develop this ideal location for mountain biking.

  I’ve spent many years walking the paths along Nine Mile Creek and Moir Park and have always thought it would make an excellent area to develop a mountain biking trail system. The economic and health benefits to the community would be great. See the benefits at Cuyuna, Battle Creek, Lebanon Hills, Murphy-Hanrehan or Elm Creek for examples. Please approve the plan to develop this ideal location for mountain biking.
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  Memories of a Priceless Sanctuary

  by mjamundson, almost 2 years ago
  I have walked the trails along Nine Mile Creek to the Minnesota River and beyond for many, many decades. I used to walk from Moire Park, but it didn't take me long to realize that it was the natural section, south of 106th St., that I preferred. I always was in awe of this special place and grateful to the city that they had the foresight to preserve this precious, natural area. It is this peaceful sanctuary that I have grown to love. Along Nine Mile Creek Corridor, the prairies and upper trail are where I fell in love with... Continue reading

  I have walked the trails along Nine Mile Creek to the Minnesota River and beyond for many, many decades. I used to walk from Moire Park, but it didn't take me long to realize that it was the natural section, south of 106th St., that I preferred. I always was in awe of this special place and grateful to the city that they had the foresight to preserve this precious, natural area. It is this peaceful sanctuary that I have grown to love. Along Nine Mile Creek Corridor, the prairies and upper trail are where I fell in love with wildflowers and decided to study and learn about them. From spring through fall, I get to enjoy all the flowers and I don't even need to take care of them! Some of the wildflowers grow alongside of the trail and others grow further into the woods. So, I am always looking for flowers and grateful that I do not have to worry about bicycles as I search on each side of the trail. Like the ornithologist who stops to observe birds, I am often stopping to view or take pictures of wildflowers. It is not just the wildflowers that draw me back to this place over and over again, but, also the sounds of the rustling of the trees, the flow of the creek, the birds singing, the meandering natural trail, and sometimes just the peace and solitude of the area. Yes, this is where I come when I have a stressful day; I leave with my spirit refreshed. There is more! Besides the song birds, there are owls, eagles, ducks, geese, egrets, herons, and a variety of migrating birds. Then there are the beaver, otters, foxes, and deer that one can encounter. Sometimes they are just as curious about us as we are of them. Once on the land bridge, dividing the lake, I saw a water snake come out with a minnow in its mouth. Even the children thought that was a special experience. We need to remember that this natural area is the home for a variety of wildlife and plants; it needs to be preserved for them too.

  As I have walked the trails over the years, I have encountered many people who come here to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of this special place. Many are not even from Bloomington. Some people learn about it from friends, relatives and hiking apps. All are amazed at this piece of paradise in the heart of the city and tell me that they will come back again and again.

  I have watched children running and playing along the trail as they come with their families. Usually they are ahead of the adults. Some children are climbing a log that has fallen, exploring the creek or finding a hiking stick or special stone. They are exploring nature as children should. These experiences teach children about nature and the value of the natural world. They will grow up to respect nature and our environment and learn to protect it as my own children did.

  I realize that there are places along the creek where the banks need repair, invasive species need removing, diseased trees need to be removed and stairs need repairing. Other than that, lets preserve this natural environment as the sanctuary it is.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
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  Settlers on Nine Mile Creek

  by Larry, almost 2 years ago

  When I say settlers, I’m not referring to the Lakota Village that was located on Nine Mile Creek, or to William McAfee and his family who built a grist mill on Nine Mile Creek at about 104th Street in 1877. The mill operated until around 1914 when it was dismantled leaving a mill pond behind.

  My settlers story remembers Dr. Robert H. Bugenstein and Pat Bugenstein who lived on the west side of the creek, very close to the site of the McAfee Mill.
  
  Dr. Bugenstein was from Cedar Rapids, IA. He graduated from medical school at Iowa State Unuversity... Continue reading

  When I say settlers, I’m not referring to the Lakota Village that was located on Nine Mile Creek, or to William McAfee and his family who built a grist mill on Nine Mile Creek at about 104th Street in 1877. The mill operated until around 1914 when it was dismantled leaving a mill pond behind.

  My settlers story remembers Dr. Robert H. Bugenstein and Pat Bugenstein who lived on the west side of the creek, very close to the site of the McAfee Mill.
  
  Dr. Bugenstein was from Cedar Rapids, IA. He graduated from medical school at Iowa State Unuversity and was a pediatrician at Bloomington Oxboro Clinic for 42 years. I suspect some of you entered the world under his supervision!

  
  Dr. Bugenstein and Pat were well known in the community and raised their family in their beautifully situated house on the Creek near the McAfee Mill site.
  
  

  On July 23-24, 1987, severe thunderstorms, high winds and prolonged extreme rainfall caused the most significant flash-flooding ever observed in the area. The great “Twin Cities Superstorm" of July 1987 caused large amounts of damage in the creek valley. The lubricating rain and undercutting creek banks caused several large land slips along the creek from Penn Avenue south to 106th Street. Huge lot-sized sections of the sandy slopes, including trees growing on them, slid down into the creek.The Bugenstein’s bridge that carried them to Humboldt Avenue washed away. For nearly two years the Bugensteins persisted in living in the house. They carried in supplies and groceries using steep trails to 105th Street. They carried their waste back out - summer and winter.

  
  The City and Nine Mile Creek Watershed District developed plans to restore the valley and creek. Many public hearings followed. The plans included a trail and steel bridges following the creek from Penn Avenue to the Minnesota River. Testimony passionately from debated whether there should be a trail, should it be paved or gravel surface, how wide should the trail be? Sound familiar?
  
  As the plan moved toward implementation, Bugensteins saw their best option would be to sell their beloved home to the City. You can still tell where the house was - on a sweeping creek bend just before the creek starts to descend a steeper section of riffles or rapids leading to the 106th Street Bridge over the creek. Some of the pine trees Bugensteins planted rise as tall sentinels looking over the Creek. I like to rest on the green bench there and remember them.