Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward

Share your story!

• Share Memories on Facebook Share Memories on Twitter Share Memories on Linkedin Email Memories link

  Memories

  by KarenK12, almost 2 years ago

  I have so many memories of time spent along Nine Mile Creek – where to start? Maybe during the pandemic, where I felt safe along the trail from Moir Park through Central Park to Nine Mile Lake. Fellow walkers were courteous, passing at a distance. Or the dozens of walks over many years with my border collie on that same trail. We both loved walking the upper trail in the winter or veering off into side trails where she could sniff so many good smells. Especially deer tracks! Because there are no bicycles, we could be fully engaged in the... Continue reading

  I have so many memories of time spent along Nine Mile Creek – where to start? Maybe during the pandemic, where I felt safe along the trail from Moir Park through Central Park to Nine Mile Lake. Fellow walkers were courteous, passing at a distance. Or the dozens of walks over many years with my border collie on that same trail. We both loved walking the upper trail in the winter or veering off into side trails where she could sniff so many good smells. Especially deer tracks! Because there are no bicycles, we could be fully engaged in the moment - I never had to worry we would be surprised and nearly run down like we have been on the trails at Hyland Lake Park Reserve. One winter day, we were on the upper trail and saw a coyote walking boldly along the lower, paved trail. And then there are the times the causeway was dry and we could walk to the River, then along the River Bottoms trail. Of course, I have many happy memories biking on Nine Mile Regional Trail from my home in Richfield to Adams Park, then through Fred Richards Park and on to Hopkins and beyond, as well as a few times hiking and biking the River Bottoms trail starting at the Lyndale lot. A few weeks ago I took the River Bottoms trail from Lyndale west – and straight into the flooded Nine Mile Creek east extension. That arm rarely has water, but in the spring, it swells and runs right over the trail, headed for New Orleans as fast as it can.

  The park systems in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro are amazing – each park is unique and offers different amenities. Some have paved trails, some have dirt trails. Some allow bikes on the trails, some do not. Some have pickleball courts, some have band shells. And one has spring ephemerals (stunk cabbage, trillium, ginger, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, wild geranium) and a myriad of migrating birds (18 different species one day) – this spring especially, with the wide, shallow Nine Mile Creek flood plain filled and overflowing. The Nine Mile Creek channel and trail through Moir Park, Central Park, Wildwood Park and to the River Bottoms is a treasure that must be restored and maintained to continue to be as wild as possible. More memories please!
• Share My happy place - Don’t ruin it on Facebook Share My happy place - Don’t ruin it on Twitter Share My happy place - Don’t ruin it on Linkedin Email My happy place - Don’t ruin it link

  My happy place - Don’t ruin it

  by Jawolff14, almost 2 years ago

  I’ve been coming to the Nine Mile Creek since I was a young kid. My parents used to take me to the creek to splash around and play with my brother. We’d spend hours in the park, playing in the water and observing the nature. My love for the park has only blossomed since then. Now, in my late 20s I live in Bloomington and have spent countless hours exploring all the trails along the creek and river with my grandma, parents, friends, and dogs. The area is quiet and peaceful and I love being able to stare off at... Continue reading

  I’ve been coming to the Nine Mile Creek since I was a young kid. My parents used to take me to the creek to splash around and play with my brother. We’d spend hours in the park, playing in the water and observing the nature. My love for the park has only blossomed since then. Now, in my late 20s I live in Bloomington and have spent countless hours exploring all the trails along the creek and river with my grandma, parents, friends, and dogs. The area is quiet and peaceful and I love being able to stare off at the scenery without constantly looking for bikers rushing by. I’ve walked on many trails where the bikers never say they’re passing and speed right past as I hurry to gather my dog to the side of the path. With mixed use paths, the walkers, especially those with dogs and kids are high risk of being hit. I also lose the ability to walk with headphones in because I have to constantly listen for bikers approaching at high speeds. Not to mention the bikes often spook my dog and other wildlife. I’d love to keep the Nine Mile Corridor as the peaceful, hidden gem I’ve enjoyed my entire life.

  Love this video that showcases the beauty and importance of this place: https://youtu.be/ih0Glf2hEU0

  
  
• Share A Many Sided Gem on Facebook Share A Many Sided Gem on Twitter Share A Many Sided Gem on Linkedin Email A Many Sided Gem link

  A Many Sided Gem

  by Hiker, almost 2 years ago
  There are so many things to love about this park. When our kids were small they enjoyed the play equipment. We came for picnics. With our dog we splashed in the creek ; we had old shoes to walk in the water and on the rocks. My grown children walk here, and so do my grandchildren. It's been rewarding to see how they love the park. We enjoy the natural beauty of it: the trails, the winding creek, the sound of the water, the birds we can hear and see. Some of the changes that are being discussed would take... Continue reading

  There are so many things to love about this park. When our kids were small they enjoyed the play equipment. We came for picnics. With our dog we splashed in the creek ; we had old shoes to walk in the water and on the rocks. My grown children walk here, and so do my grandchildren. It's been rewarding to see how they love the park. We enjoy the natural beauty of it: the trails, the winding creek, the sound of the water, the birds we can hear and see. Some of the changes that are being discussed would take away from the natural, quiet beauty of the place. There are so many great trails for bikes that can be accessed in Bloomington; they connect and go for miles along the river and wind through Hyland. I hope this almost wild gem will remain an almost wild gem to enjoy.
• Share Something After All on Facebook Share Something After All on Twitter Share Something After All on Linkedin Email Something After All link

  Something After All

  by dlamon, almost 2 years ago
  When I was trying to buy a house during a stressful time at my job I was beginning to think I should postpone the whole process. My friends were already asking me why I wanted to move to a suburb known mainly (to many) for the Mall of America.

  But the house I found had a yard I could transform into a bird and butterfly and bee sanctuary and I liked the little street it was on.
  So, one day, after another ugly day at work’ I stopped at home for my dog, Molly, and headed for a walk along... Continue reading

  When I was trying to buy a house during a stressful time at my job I was beginning to think I should postpone the whole process. My friends were already asking me why I wanted to move to a suburb known mainly (to many) for the Mall of America.

  But the house I found had a yard I could transform into a bird and butterfly and bee sanctuary and I liked the little street it was on.
  So, one day, after another ugly day at work’ I stopped at home for my dog, Molly, and headed for a walk along the creek someone had told me about. We walked for hours - the upper and lower trails, enjoying the sound of the creek and the birds - the delightfully quiet calm of Nature in the middle of a metropolitan area, (I think Molly mostly liked the smells.)

  I left feeling rejuvenated and calm and even had a solution to a work challenge!
  Maybe Bloomington had something for me after all.

  
  

  
  
• Share Forest Bathing on Facebook Share Forest Bathing on Twitter Share Forest Bathing on Linkedin Email Forest Bathing link

  Forest Bathing

  by ForestBather, almost 2 years ago

  I'm a regular walker on the Nine Mile Creek trails with all their current configurations: paved, graveled, and unpaved single-track. I'd be very disappointed if these trails were widened, paved, and designed to be shared with bikes. As others have commented, it's nice, I would say essential, to have a local space to immerse in the peaceful soundscape of the creek amongst the slice of forest remaining in the creek valley. I think it is not selfish to maintain this one wild space within the city of Bloomington for walkers. Since Covid forced us all into our local parks, Nine... Continue reading

  I'm a regular walker on the Nine Mile Creek trails with all their current configurations: paved, graveled, and unpaved single-track. I'd be very disappointed if these trails were widened, paved, and designed to be shared with bikes. As others have commented, it's nice, I would say essential, to have a local space to immerse in the peaceful soundscape of the creek amongst the slice of forest remaining in the creek valley. I think it is not selfish to maintain this one wild space within the city of Bloomington for walkers. Since Covid forced us all into our local parks, Nine Mile Creek has been delightfully and busily occupied by walkers of all ages.

  Bikers have other highly desirable natural biking routes in the city with lots of connectivity to other regional trails. Having done a lot of mountain biking in the past, I get biker's desire to have bike trails crammed into every open space available. But there are already significant miles of trails designed for mountain bikes within the city. The Minnesota Valley State Trail, the mountain bike trail below Nine Mile Creek, can be accessed from Old Cedar Ave, Lyndale Ave, Goodrich Rd at Overlook Dr, and Bloomington Ferry. It's not necessary to provide access down Nine Mile Creek as well. The terrain within the creek corridor is especially poorly suited to single track bike trails due to its steepness and sandy soils. Although I frequently walk on other single track trails that are shared with mountain bikers, I really appreciate not having to constantly be on guard for the abrupt approach of mountain bikers when I'm craning to find a bird in the treetops. Lastly, I would suggest that Nine Mile Creek itself would be further degraded by increasing the area of non pervious surface along its corridor.

  There is much to be done to protect and restore this wonderful resource. Buckthorn and garlic mustard control, replacement of steps in steep areas, managing the bluff prairie remnant, and thoughtfully restoring and protecting the creek. First do no harm.
• Share Diamond in the rough on Facebook Share Diamond in the rough on Twitter Share Diamond in the rough on Linkedin Email Diamond in the rough link

  Diamond in the rough

  by JKS, almost 2 years ago

  Central Park is a “diamond in the rough”. It is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its charm is its’ “wildness”. Where else in the city can I see such a diversity of wildlife in a natural setting?

  Maintenance in this park has been neglected for too long. The creek banks are eroding badly in areas and invasives have taken hold everywhere. Between the buckthorn, garlic mustard, honey suckle bushes and Dame’s violet, it’s hard to appreciate the native plants. Removal of these invasive plants will take a very concentrated effort, but must be done before... Continue reading

  Central Park is a “diamond in the rough”. It is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Its charm is its’ “wildness”. Where else in the city can I see such a diversity of wildlife in a natural setting?

  Maintenance in this park has been neglected for too long. The creek banks are eroding badly in areas and invasives have taken hold everywhere. Between the buckthorn, garlic mustard, honey suckle bushes and Dame’s violet, it’s hard to appreciate the native plants. Removal of these invasive plants will take a very concentrated effort, but must be done before it’s too late. Garlic mustard has had a banner year and is now bearing many seed pods to further its spread. The recently scheduled garlic mustard pull got rained out-so why not schedule another such event? These invasives are not going anywhere on their own. We need a committed community effort in this ongoing battle. And we need to do it NOW while there’s still some native vegetation to encourage biodiversity. There is no easy way out!

  I have a vision for Central Park that does not include bikes. There are currently miles and miles of bike trails around the Twin Cities, many of them interconnected. Why spend millions of dollars so bikers have just another 2.5 miles to bike? Bike trails are typically a minimum of 10 feet wide and building of them requires 5 feet on either side, so involves 20 feet of width. A paved bike trail will of necessity eliminate many shade trees. It will be miserable to walk this on a hot summer day. Currently this park is walkable 365 days of the year and it is definitely used for that year round. People of all ages walk it and it is a regular route for many runners and dog walkers. Every dollar spent on a bike trail is a dollar not spent on restoring the park and getting rid of invasive species.

  
  

  
  
• Share Peaceful Oasis on Facebook Share Peaceful Oasis on Twitter Share Peaceful Oasis on Linkedin Email Peaceful Oasis link

  Peaceful Oasis

  by ChrisStrudwick, almost 2 years ago

  When I first discovered the walking section of Nine Mile Creek between Harrison Park and the River Bottoms, it made my heart sing with excitement and happiness. It's such a wonderful place to sit by a stream, look for wildlife and find shade from the heat.

  I enjoy bike riding and walking but not on the same or proximate paths. The Nine Mile Creek Corridor that is walking only is such a peaceful oasis. We have plenty of other bike trails/paths, please do not add bike access to this section. Doing so would ruin the quiet walks and would make... Continue reading

  When I first discovered the walking section of Nine Mile Creek between Harrison Park and the River Bottoms, it made my heart sing with excitement and happiness. It's such a wonderful place to sit by a stream, look for wildlife and find shade from the heat.

  I enjoy bike riding and walking but not on the same or proximate paths. The Nine Mile Creek Corridor that is walking only is such a peaceful oasis. We have plenty of other bike trails/paths, please do not add bike access to this section. Doing so would ruin the quiet walks and would make walking less safe in having to watch out for bikes coming or going along the path.
• Share Mental Reset and Anxiety Reduction on Facebook Share Mental Reset and Anxiety Reduction on Twitter Share Mental Reset and Anxiety Reduction on Linkedin Email Mental Reset and Anxiety Reduction link

  Mental Reset and Anxiety Reduction

  by TBPhineas, almost 2 years ago

  The best thing about Nine Mile Creek is the quiet within a city. When I'm at the end of my rope, Nine Mile Creek gives me a place to go where there are no man-made sounds or stimuli. Sitting next to the rocks listening to the water, or walking the path restores my mental health.

  This refuge would be destroyed by adding a bike lane and widening the paths. The addition of bicycle traffic would destroy the quiet, and adding a path will turn Nine Mile Creek into a fast bicycle cut through. Instead, let's keep the designated bike lanes... Continue reading

  The best thing about Nine Mile Creek is the quiet within a city. When I'm at the end of my rope, Nine Mile Creek gives me a place to go where there are no man-made sounds or stimuli. Sitting next to the rocks listening to the water, or walking the path restores my mental health.

  This refuge would be destroyed by adding a bike lane and widening the paths. The addition of bicycle traffic would destroy the quiet, and adding a path will turn Nine Mile Creek into a fast bicycle cut through. Instead, let's keep the designated bike lanes to the roads that tax money was used to install. Those bike lanes get you to larger parks where bike paths are more appropriate. What's next after adding bicycle lanes in Nine Mile Creek? Will off road bike paths be added? What about paths for segways? I'm seeing people in the neighborhood riding those.

  I would like someone to explain how adding to nature is interpreted into tearing down the landscape and adding material not natural to the setting? Horse riding trails have been pushed out of parks to allow for bike and pedestrian traffic. Now we are trying to push out few areas limited to only pedestrian traffic just to add more bikes.

  Since a proposed plan for these taxes was not presented at the time of voting, any monies not being used towards restoring and protecting the the natural woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and waters along Nine Mile Creek needs to be voted upon by the residents of Bloomington. Detailed plans on how the monies would be used needs to be transparently disclosed. These projects would be anything that is marked for widening trails, adding bike paths, and introducing other recreational features. etc. I'm really tired of the smoke and mirrors magic act when sliding through tax increases. Side deals are slid in as addendums, we want to tax you for improvements but never you mind what we decided those improvements to be....we are just asking to make you feel included. Why are Bloomington taxes higher than Minnetonka?

  Please, just stop. Not everything needs a bike path.
• Share Peace for Healing on Facebook Share Peace for Healing on Twitter Share Peace for Healing on Linkedin Email Peace for Healing link

  Peace for Healing

  by peaceforhealing, almost 2 years ago
  I moved to Bloomington from Minneapolis a couple of years ago. In my Minneapolis apartment, there were two separate instances of DV in my immediate neighbors' apartments. One was next to me and one was above me. I could hear violence and screaming almost every night. I did what I could, called the police, notified the apartment managers, etc. But it kept me awake at night and afraid constantly for over a year while I saved up to move out. I decided to move completely out of the city into a nice, quiet, peaceful location in Bloomington. Being here in... Continue reading

  I moved to Bloomington from Minneapolis a couple of years ago. In my Minneapolis apartment, there were two separate instances of DV in my immediate neighbors' apartments. One was next to me and one was above me. I could hear violence and screaming almost every night. I did what I could, called the police, notified the apartment managers, etc. But it kept me awake at night and afraid constantly for over a year while I saved up to move out. I decided to move completely out of the city into a nice, quiet, peaceful location in Bloomington. Being here in Bloomington has been immensely healing because I never hear gunshots, fights, screaming, slurs, etc. I only hear the birds and people laughing. I love it here and the community is awesome. A big part of that is 9 Mile Creek. Once I moved down here, I started walking regularly at 9 Mile Creek to connect with nature and get exercise. 9 Mile Creek is a uniquely peaceful, calming little bit of paradise here in the middle of the city. There are no city noises, no cars honking, no rushing bicyclists or motorcyclists, no trash, no cigarette smoke. I can just sit and enjoy the quiet rushing of the water while kids and dogs run around playing near me. It's a very natural, calm park with a relaxed pace and chill vibe that I appreciate greatly. We need more places like this to get away from the crazy rest of the human world. I love 9 Mile Creek and I love living in Bloomington.
• Share Beautiful rushing stream on Facebook Share Beautiful rushing stream on Twitter Share Beautiful rushing stream on Linkedin Email Beautiful rushing stream link

  Beautiful rushing stream

  by Birder, almost 2 years ago
  Our walking group started walking along Nine Mile Creek, starting at Harrison Park, several years ago. I remember the first time I walked the trail - this beautiful rushing stream! I felt like I was in northern Minnesota, but I was in the Twin Cities! I'm so glad our group discovered this trail. It is one of my favorites. I like biking, but I don't want to bike along this trail. It is better to walk the trail and savor the beauty of the area. It would ruin it for the walkers if there were bikers whizzing past them.

  Our walking group started walking along Nine Mile Creek, starting at Harrison Park, several years ago. I remember the first time I walked the trail - this beautiful rushing stream! I felt like I was in northern Minnesota, but I was in the Twin Cities! I'm so glad our group discovered this trail. It is one of my favorites. I like biking, but I don't want to bike along this trail. It is better to walk the trail and savor the beauty of the area. It would ruin it for the walkers if there were bikers whizzing past them.