Project Overview
Highland Bridge includes 122 acres along the Mississippi River and was the former home of Ford Motor Company's Twin Cities Assembly Plant. Within those 122 acres, four city-owned parks comprise approximately 9 acres. In addition to the four city-owned parks, there are privately owned spaces available for public use including the Central Stormwater Utility.
Announcements:
Construction Updates 2025
Public Art
The City has $150K for public art at the Highland Bridge development allocated to public art through the 1% for art requirement. We are currently pivoting our approach and will provide updates as we determine the next steps.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
Assembly Union Park is done. The name of the park recognizes the site's industrial history and the Ford Motor Company workforce as contributing members of the surrounding communities. Amenities include three pickleball courts, one basketball court, a large play area with poured in place surfacing, a dog relief area (not off leash dog park), picnic tables and benches.
Gateway Park is complete. The name reflects the importance of this entry point to the city and to the neighborhood, and also references a gateway in time bridging the past to the future. The park includes a skate trail, skate bowl, stormwater basins, a storm pond, connections to MRB trail, walking paths and seating.
Míča Park The name reflects both Indigenous Recognition and Local Wildlife. Míča is the abbreviation for “coyote” in Dakota. There is a history of coyote families at the Highland Bridge site that come up from the rail site through this area. Construction of the park wrapped up in 2025 with the final furnishings in place. There will be tree replacements in late summer/early fall 2025. The park includes a futsal court, irrigation, open lawn spaces, native plantings and trees, and an area where community gardens can go (if there is a group interested in organization and oversight of that). Interpretive elements that reference the site's location at a switchyard and the significance of the park name.
Uŋčí Makhá Park Uŋčí Makhá means “Grandmother Earth” in Dakota. The park includes geography and features that connect people from the developed site to more natural areas including access to Hidden Falls Regional Park. The park links the stormwater system from the neighborhood into the daylighted creek to the falls and features include a large stormwater channel, a dog park, 2 sand volleyball courts, an adult fitness area, picnic shelter, tables and seating.
In 2024 Saint Paul Right Track interns worked with artists Elissa Cedarleaf-Dahl and Missy Whitehead and created a beautiful mural which relays a Dakota creation story. It is an exciting project that enhances the south end of Uŋčí Makhá Park on the wall that leads under Mississippi River Boulevard toward an overlook of Hidden Falls.
