MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is changing closure times for the Stone Arch Bridge over the holiday weekend "in response to community requests."
MPRB said the Stone Arch Bridge will now temporarily close to pedestrian and bicycle traffic overnights between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. from June 30 to July 5, with the closures now starting two hours later each night than originally planned. People who regularly use the bridge and Riverfront Trail for exercise or commuting will be detoured to the Hennepin Avenue Bridge.
The temporary closure is part of a wider effort to address safety concerns following a chaotic Independence Day weekend last year that included a shooting that injured seven people at Boom Island Park and numerous reports of people shooting fireworks at buildings a few blocks off the riverfront.
"This proactive measure will help park staff and public safety agencies better manage crowds and safety during a very busy time for riverfront parks and neighborhoods," MPRB communications and marketing director Dawn Summers told KARE 11.
In addition to the Stone Arch Bridge closures, MPRB will also make changes to the events on Boom Island, with a laser light show on July 3 that's only visible from Boom Island Park starting at 10 p.m. Parking at Boom Island will also be restricted to drivers with a Disability Parking Certificate; all others will be directed to park at the Teachers Federation or Graco lots nearby.
Aileen Johnson, an organizer of neighborhood Safety Walks across the city, applauded the Park Board for temporarily closing the Stone Arch Bridge during overnight hours.
"I think they're doing absolutely the right thing," Johnson said. "They've made a study of what needs to be done and they're doing those things."
However, the Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association pushed back against the decision. In a letter to Council Member Michael Rainville and Park Board Commissioner Billy Menz, MHNA President Vic Thorstenson said "while we understand there have been incidents near the bridge, our organization cannot support a 10-hour closure of this critical route."
"We have residents and guests using this bridge as their primary route," Thorstenson said, "when returning from the Guthrie Theater (evening shows on June 30 and July 1), from seeing the Twins at Target Field (evening game on July 3rd), and from attending the Taste of Minnesota, which will be just wrapping up at 8 p.m. on July 2nd and July 3rd."
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