Nine Mile Creek Corridor - Moving Bloomington Forward

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Picture with flowers in the foreground and the current Moir Park shelter in the background.






Update: 9/30/2024

Concept review sessions scheduled for October 21 and 22. See details under the project update.

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 topic.

Picture with flowers in the foreground and the current Moir Park shelter in the background.






Update: 9/30/2024

Concept review sessions scheduled for October 21 and 22. See details under the project update.

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 topic.

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. 

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.
  • Share A Poetic Place by JBM on Facebook Share A Poetic Place by JBM on Twitter Share A Poetic Place by JBM on Linkedin Email A Poetic Place by JBM link

    A Poetic Place by JBM

    by Judith B Miller, 4 months 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

  • Share Biking trails would be greatly appreciated! on Facebook Share Biking trails would be greatly appreciated! on Twitter Share Biking trails would be greatly appreciated! on Linkedin Email Biking trails would be greatly appreciated! link

    Biking trails would be greatly appreciated!

    by WingedMolotov, 4 months 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
  • Share A place I am lucky to call HOME! on Facebook Share A place I am lucky to call HOME! on Twitter Share A place I am lucky to call HOME! on Linkedin Email A place I am lucky to call HOME! link

    A place I am lucky to call HOME!

    by Pad D., 5 months 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

  • 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, 5 months 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

  • Share We love the meandering walking path! on Facebook Share We love the meandering walking path! on Twitter Share We love the meandering walking path! on Linkedin Email We love the meandering walking path! link

    We love the meandering walking path!

    by millersbran, 5 months 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
  • Share Nine Mile Creek on Facebook Share Nine Mile Creek on Twitter Share Nine Mile Creek on Linkedin Email Nine Mile Creek link

    Nine Mile Creek

    by MrWrestlingII, 5 months 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.







  • Share Mountain biking trails Please! on Facebook Share Mountain biking trails Please! on Twitter Share Mountain biking trails Please! on Linkedin Email Mountain biking trails Please! link

    Mountain biking trails Please!

    by Ben Mueller, 5 months 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

  • Share Mountain biking is an economic benefit on Facebook Share Mountain biking is an economic benefit on Twitter Share Mountain biking is an economic benefit on Linkedin Email Mountain biking is an economic benefit link

    Mountain biking is an economic benefit

    by Michael Bigger, 5 months 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.
  • Share Memories of a Priceless Sanctuary on Facebook Share Memories of a Priceless Sanctuary on Twitter Share Memories of a Priceless Sanctuary on Linkedin Email Memories of a Priceless Sanctuary link

    Memories of a Priceless Sanctuary

    by mjamundson, 5 months 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
  • Share Settlers on Nine Mile Creek on Facebook Share Settlers on Nine Mile Creek on Twitter Share Settlers on Nine Mile Creek on Linkedin Email Settlers on Nine Mile Creek link

    Settlers on Nine Mile Creek

    by Larry, 5 months 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

Page last updated: 22 Oct 2024, 01:53 PM