Encore at the Library: The Jewel of Minneapolis

Posted September 30, 2015
Filed under: Minneapolis parks, Mississippi River |

I hope you’ll be able to come to the Minneapolis Central Library on Saturday afternoon, October 3, from 2-3 pm for my encore presentation on how the Mississippi River Gorge in Minneapolis became a park. I first addressed the topic last winter in the Longfellow neighborhood.

Smith – Mississippi River Gorge

I think many people overlook what a spectacular asset has been preserved for our health and enjoyment. So often the emphasis on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis is on reclaiming the river at and above St. Anthony Falls—and that is an exciting development that is overdue—but I think we take for granted the truly unique resource that was preserved for us below the falls. I don’t know that a similar riverfront exists in an urban environment anywhere else in the world. Come and say “thanks!” with me to some people with extraordinary vision and persistence more than 100 years ago.

We would welcome any of our friends across the river in St. Paul to join us, because while my focus is on Minneapolis park history, St. Paul deserves equal credit in preserving the river gorge. As always, there will be plenty of time after my remarks to discuss park and river history.

David C.Smith

8 comments so far

Joan Pudvan on October 2, 2015

HI DAVID, THERE IS NOTHING I’D RATHER DO THAN COME TO MPLS ANYWHERE IN OCTOBER, MY FAVORITE TIME THERE. SADLY, I’M IN OHIO AND CAN ONLY BE WITH YOU IN SPIRIT. WALK ON A FEW OAK LEAVES AND CRUNCH THEM FOR ME, WILL YOU? ANY PARK WILL DO….HOPE YOU HAVE A FINE, BIG AUDIENCE FOR YOUR TALK!!
BEST, JOAN P., OHIO, DARN IT.

Reply
- David C. Smith on October 3, 2015
  
  Thanks, Joan. I think I’ll head for Mill Ruins and First Bridge Park, maybe have a walk on the Stone Arch Bridge, but I’ll look for an oak leaf for you.
  
  Reply
Musich, Steffanie D. on September 30, 2015

David,

Will this presentation be recorded and posted somewhere for people that can’t make it Saturday?

Thanks,

Steffanie

Reply
- David C. Smith on September 30, 2015
  
  I’m not aware of any plans to record it, but I will check with the library staff to see if that’s possible.
  
  Reply
  - David Tinjum on October 1, 2015
    
    Hi David, I’ll record it if ok with you. Park history buffs, this is a must see.
  - David C. Smith on October 2, 2015
    
    Thanks, David. I owe you one.
Beatrice Dunlap on September 30, 2015

Sure wish I could be up in Mn. for your talk about the beautifying of the Mississippi river from Broadway to Anoka– Last Night my son sent some photos from his walk along Shingle Creek from Webber Park to the Mississippi River. I lived between 26th Av N and Lowry on Washington (1928 thru 1947) when all there was a dump, garbage cinerator, farm land, pickle factory, plus factories.

Reply
- David C. Smith on September 30, 2015
  
  I wish you could join us too! As a substitute I’ll soon post a picture just received of the old dam on Shingle Creek at the swimming pool.
  
  Reply

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