Red Wing’s Riverfront Trail Expansion Connects Parks, People, and Views

Red Wing’s Mississippi River, scenic bluffs, parks, and trails have long made it a destination for outdoor recreation. The newly completed Riverfront Trail segment brings those assets together, giving residents and visitors a new way to experience the community.

The Red Wing Port Authority is highlighting the newest Riverfront Trail segment, which connects He Mni Can-Barn Bluff Regional Park with Colvill Park, two of Red Wing’s most popular outdoor recreational areas. Connecting these two spots is part of the community’s broader recreational vision to create a continuous trail from the Cannon Valley Trail to Colvill Park. Completing this new segment of the Riverfront Trail helps bring that vision to life.

“The goal was to make walking and biking in Red Wing easier and a more beautiful place,” said Michelle Leise, public information and engagement officer for the City of Red Wing. “This is for residents as well as visitors.”

A small but mighty expansion with a purpose

The newest section of the Riverfront Trail is a little more than half a mile long, but its impact extends beyond its length. “If you were to think about these two parks, it feels a lot longer, and so by taking this trail, it's a nice short connection,” says Leise. Plus, it offers a slower, more scenic way to experience the community.

Along the route, residents and visitors can take in Red Wing’s unique mix of natural and industrial landscapes. Wildlife, highways, historic boathouses, the river, and working waterfront areas are among the trail's scenic sights. “You’re walking and seeing He Mni Can-Barn Bluff in a view that you do not get,” Leise said.

Overcoming challenges behind the scenes

The new section isn’t just a major connection in the city’s trail system; it also shows how much work can lie beneath a seemingly simple path.

“Any person who walks it would never know, but we had to take a few critical steps to allow the project to happen,” said Zach Regnier, city engineer and engineering director for the City of Red Wing.

Regnier explained the new section had its challenges, such as whether the trail should pass over or under the bridge. Going over the bridge would have been easier to construct and less expensive; however, trail users would have to cross a busy roadway leading to the steam plant.

“The purpose of the project is to provide a safe, disconnected segment from the roadway,” Regnier said. “It would have introduced a safety hazard and taken people out of that scenic vibe.”

Instead, the trail runs beneath the bridge, close to railroad property. Another major challenge was securing the land and permissions that originally belonged to the railroad.

“Getting the railroad to sell land is a big feat,” Regnier said. “We could not bid on the project until we had railroad permission.”

An all-around community effort

Creating the newest section of the Riverfront Trail required years of planning, creative engineering, and community investment. Residents, organizations, businesses, government partners, and philanthropic groups helped move this project forward.

“This project has shown how Red Wing comes together and also uses a lot of different ways to make something like this happen,” Leise said.

For residents, it’s a new way to explore home, while visitors can stop and take in Red Wing's breathtaking views. Looking ahead, it’s part of the foundation for a larger regional trail network that encourages the community to explore the great outdoors and strengthen Red Wing as a recreational destination.  

Visit the Red Wing Port Authority’s website to learn more about things to do in our community.