Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward
Click for Project Updates to provide feedback on Moir Park concepts by November 15, 2024.
Background: More than two years of input from residents helped the City develop the long-term Bloomington Forward investment plan to support three major community projects for better health, wellness, athletics and recreation.
In November 2023, via citywide referendum, Bloomington voters approved a half-percent local option sales tax to finance $155 million in bonds to pay for the projects. This includes the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal project which prioritizes, sustainability and desirable amenities to ensure continued connection of resident to nature and outdoor activities.
Background:Continue reading
Click for Project Updates to provide feedback on Moir Park concepts by November 15, 2024.
Background: More than two years of input from residents helped the City develop the long-term Bloomington Forward investment plan to support three major community projects for better health, wellness, athletics and recreation.
In November 2023, via citywide referendum, Bloomington voters approved a half-percent local option sales tax to finance $155 million in bonds to pay for the projects. This includes the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal project which prioritizes, sustainability and desirable amenities to ensure continued connection of resident to nature and outdoor activities.
Background: The 2021 Park System Master Plan assessed existing park infrastructure, and established needs and priorities based on extensive stakeholder and community engagement and input.
A community-driven planning process will develop a new vision for Moir/Central Park, with design principles reflecting the Park System Master Plan’s priorities of natural resources, park facility needs, trails, mobility and equity.
Answers to common questions (FAQs) about the Nine Mile Creek Corridor project can be found on the project website.
Do you want to receive email updates about the Nine Mile Creek Renewal Project?
Sign up for E-Subscribe and select the Trails Projects In and Around Bloomington topics.
Share your story!
Thank you for your stories. Stay up to date on the Nine Mile Creek Corridor project at BloomingtonForward.org
What's YOUR Nine Mile Creek Corridor story?
WALKS | WILDLIFE | PICNICS | PLAY
Tell us what you love about the Nine Mile Creek Corridor and Moir and Central Park areas. These areas have been the site for many wonderful experiences and we want to hear what has made them special to you in the past. As we launch the Moving Bloomington Forward, Nine Mile Creek Corridor project, we start with what has already brought us joy.
Registration is not required, however you will be asked for an e-mail and your name so we can contact you if we'd like to use your story in promotions.
This summer we will begin engagement to gather input for the future of the area. You will have opportunities to share your input during that time.
-
Share In Favor of MTB Trails! on Facebook Share In Favor of MTB Trails! on Twitter Share In Favor of MTB Trails! on Linkedin Email In Favor of MTB Trails! link
In Favor of MTB Trails!
by RE, 6 months agoIn Favor of Mountain Bike Trails!!!Think of the younger generations and the progression of this sport. Let’s create a safe place to learn, ride, and enjoy nature!
-
Share Silent sports on Facebook Share Silent sports on Twitter Share Silent sports on Linkedin Email Silent sports link
Silent sports
by Dansondy, 6 months agoI walk my dog and spend quite a bit of time here, I am also an avid mountain biker. This area would definitely be perfect to experience via mountain bike. The sport is silent so it does not disturb nature or make noises that would disturb hikers and dog walkers. The trail builders do an incredible job to make sure erosion issues are taken care of, they also remove invasive species such as buckthorn. Having these bike trails in this area would be awesome and it is a great idea, it’s a perfect place to enjoy nature and the outdoors.
-
Share Ancient Trails on Facebook Share Ancient Trails on Twitter Share Ancient Trails on Linkedin Email Ancient Trails link
Ancient Trails
by T. Smith, 6 months agoI grew up in the Village of Bloomington when rainbow trout could be found in the "Crick". The place to be as a young boy. We would be in the woods most every day exploring every nook and cranny of the Crick and forest to the river, there was an amazing amount of wildlife. I was with my buddy Tim when going rock hunting in a big erosion ravine behind the rock bridge on Overlook when we found something odd. Tim showed it to his father who took it to the U of M. Tim got his photo in the... Continue reading -
Share Serenity on Facebook Share Serenity on Twitter Share Serenity on Linkedin Email Serenity link
Serenity
by Wcwhite, 6 months agoI have been walking the Nine mile creek corridor for 27 years, with my dogs over the years. To me, it is such a beautiful, peaceful place, the best in the city. There is no other place within miles that is so lovely. There are so many other wonderful places to bike in the city, along with other ways to get to the river, I can’t understand why anyone would want to disrupt this place. It is special. Let’s keep it that way. -
Share My Thoughts on Facebook Share My Thoughts on Twitter Share My Thoughts on Linkedin Email My Thoughts link
My Thoughts
by BGW, 6 months agoMy memories of the Nine Mile Creek Corridor extend back to the early 1960s. As a child, I fished and played along the creek with my friends several times a week. We would begin our summer days by 09:00 and we’d leave the Corridor just in time to make it home for dinner. I usually arrived wet and muddy. Often, I smelled of fish, stagnant water, and garter snake musk. In the winter, we routinely followed the creek home afterschool. Walking on the ice was irresistible, especially when it was thin, and my pants were commonly frozen from the knees... Continue reading
-
Share Paradise in the Twin Cities on Facebook Share Paradise in the Twin Cities on Twitter Share Paradise in the Twin Cities on Linkedin Email Paradise in the Twin Cities link
Paradise in the Twin Cities
by CAW, 6 months agoI was first introduced to the Bloomington Nine Mile Creek area in the 1970’s when I started dating my now current husband. We had just taken an ornithology class together and no better place to practice our birdwatching skills than along Nine Mile Creek. I was amazed at how natural, wild, and unspoiled the area was and that such a place could exist in the Twin Cities. It was so quiet along the creek that I could hear the water running over the rocks and the insects buzzing in the air. The creek easily won me over that day with... Continue reading
-
Share Central Park - A Peaceful Inner-City Sanctuary on Facebook Share Central Park - A Peaceful Inner-City Sanctuary on Twitter Share Central Park - A Peaceful Inner-City Sanctuary on Linkedin Email Central Park - A Peaceful Inner-City Sanctuary link
Central Park - A Peaceful Inner-City Sanctuary
by John Graves, 6 months agoI moved to Bloomington two years ago and walked the Nine Mile Creek corridor (Central Park) for the first time last year. I entered the park at the 106th Street entrance and as I walked down the shaded inclined path, I immediately felt that this inner-city park had something special to offer. That something is a peace of mind that allows me to leave the rest of the world behind and focus on the natural beauty that the park has to offer. As I walk the narrow valley path I feel enveloped by the trees that are so close to... Continue reading
-
Share Serenity in the City on Facebook Share Serenity in the City on Twitter Share Serenity in the City on Linkedin Email Serenity in the City link
Serenity in the City
by esiew, 6 months agoIn times of stress I find my escape on the walking trails of Moir/Central Park. The relaxing sound of a creek, little voices playing in the distance, a dog finding new scents and the delight of spotting our wildlife neighbors. I choose these trails because it's peaceful, slow paced and an escape from the hustle of the city. I feel safe here and am allowed a space to breathe in all that is good from Mother Nature. Please preserve and protect a centrally located park for both the earth and humans who prefer a slower pace to life.
I used... Continue reading
-
Share Bloomington Treasure on Facebook Share Bloomington Treasure on Twitter Share Bloomington Treasure on Linkedin Email Bloomington Treasure link
Bloomington Treasure
by Laura Pasternacki, 6 months agoFor 30 years our family has been fortunate to live just steps away from an entrance trail to Nine Mile Creek. It has been a gift to have such a peaceful and natural trail to walk on. Our son played on the banks of the creek on hot summer days as we escaped down to the cool shade for relief. The garter snakes that appear early spring were a favorite for he and his friends. There are such a variety of birds, as well as owls, beavers, deer, ducks and fish swimming in the creek. Sometimes a fox or a... Continue reading -
Share A Walk On Nine Mile Creek (In January) on Facebook Share A Walk On Nine Mile Creek (In January) on Twitter Share A Walk On Nine Mile Creek (In January) on Linkedin Email A Walk On Nine Mile Creek (In January) link
A Walk On Nine Mile Creek (In January)
by John Arthur, 6 months agoA Winter Walk to the Mouth of Nine Mile Creek
On Saturday, January 24, 2004, Pamela Deerwood and I went for a walk along Nine Mile Creek. We started at the entry off Morgan Rd. just south of 106th St. near a church. A light snow had fallen on Friday, so we knew that any tracks we observed were fairly fresh.
Rather than walk to the creek right away, we followed a trail that stays near the top of the hill to a Goat Prairie when we see Pasque Flowers in the spring. We found Thimble Weed, Hoary Vervain... Continue reading
Signup Banner
Who's Listening
-
Phone 952-563-8758 Email forward@bloomingtonmn.gov -
Phone 952-563-8890 Email forward@bloomingtonmn.gov
Timeline
-
Request for Proposal (RFP) for Architect/Engineer
Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward has finished this stageMarch 2024: Issue Request for Proposal (RFP) for Architect/Engineer
April/May 2024: Review RFP responses.
-
Contract awarded for architect and engineering firm.
Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward has finished this stageMay 20 City Council Meeting authorization of contract to SEH.
-
Nine Mile Creek Community Celebration
Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward has finished this stageMay 21, 2024, 4 - 6 p.m. The Community Celebration event scheduled has been rescheduled due to inclement weather.
June 5, 4 - 6 p.m. RESCHEDULED Community Celebration Event at Moir Park.
- A summary of the event will be posted at BloomingtonForward.org in July.
-
Environmental Analysis and Community Engagement
Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward has finished this stage- June - November 2024: Environmental and technical analysis/feasibility study.
- Late Spring - Fall 2024: Community engagement.
Help Plan Moir Park Event
- August 7, 2024, 5 - 7 p.m. (Wednesday)
- Moir Park Picnic Shelter
- 10320 Morgan Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431
-
Design / Community Feedback
Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward is currently at this stageFall 2024 - 2025: Schematic design, design development and community engagement.
Public Engagement - Concept Review
Monday, October 21, 3-5 p.m. at Moir Park, 10320 Morgan Ave. S.
Tuesday, October 22, 5-7 p.m. at Bloomington Center for the Arts' Black Box Theater, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road.
The project team has listened to the community, collected technical information about the site and studied possibilities for improvements to natural resources, trails, and Moir Park. Concepts to illustrate what’s possible and provide alternatives for public input will be shared. This is part of the predesign/feasibility study process; the first phase of planning and design.
Let's Talk Bloomington online survey (coming mid-October).
-
Construction
this is an upcoming stage for Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington ForwardEarly 2026: Construction documents and bid for construction.
Spring 2026 - 2027: Construction.
all schedules subject to change.
Important Links
FAQs
Videos
- June 5, 2024: The Community Celebration/project kickoff was held at Moir Park on June 5. Fox 9 Morning News aired a story ahead of the event, including an interview with Water Resources Specialist Jack Distel. He spoke about natural resources restoration and articulated why we are managing natural areas.