TheGrand Rounds National Scenic Byway is a linked series of park areas inMinneapolis,Minnesota, United States, that takes a roughly circular path through the city. TheMinneapolis Park and Recreation Board developed the system over many years. The corridors include roads for automobile traffic plus separate paths for pedestrians and bicycles, and extend slightly into neighboring cities. About 50 miles (80 km) of roadway and paths are in the system, and much of it was built in the 1930s as part ofCivilian Conservation Corps projects.
Mississippi Rivergorge area extends from downtown Minneapolis toMinnehaha Park. The byway follows West River Parkway, and passes the west bank of theUniversity of Minnesota. After Franklin Avenue there are multiple access points from the byway to the adjacentWinchell Trail. Several bridges connect the byway with trails on the east bank, in both Minneapolis andSaint Paul. Portions of this section of the route are also part of the signedMississippi River Trail (MRT) bicycle route.
Victory Memorial includes the northwestern edge of Minneapolis. The byway followsVictory Memorial Parkway, which commemorates the contributions of people fromHennepin County in World War I. Victory Memorial Parkway becomes Weber Parkway. The byway follows theCamden Bridge across the Mississippi River, which marked thehead of navigation forbarge traffic on the river until the lock atUpper Lock and Dam was taken out of service.
Northeast runs throughNortheast Minneapolis. The byway follows St Anthony Parkway to Stinson Parkway, and follows that road south to Ridgway Parkway. It passesColumbia Park and Deming Heights Park, and terminates at Francis Gross Golf Course.
The Grand Rounds trail system features approximately 50 miles (80 km) of off-street paths for bicycles and pedestrians that make a continuous loop around Minneapolis.[3]
The area was designated as a Minnesota State Scenic Byway in 1997 and aNational Scenic Byway in 1998. The Grand Rounds are considered to be the most significant example of an urban byway, as most such areas run through rural regions. Portions are also part of theGreat River Road along the Mississippi River.
The city purchased all the land immediately adjoiningits lakes during its formative period, turning them into public parks rather than allowing them to be privately developed. Because of this, Minneapolis' lakes are accessible by the general public.
Heavy vehicles such assemi-trailer trucks and buses are largely banned from the byway, and the speed limit is 25 miles per hour throughout. Thanks to the low speed limit, motorcycle riders enjoy riding through the parkway system.[4] Much of theasphalt paving along the road has a reddish tone so that drivers can more easily determine where to go upon reachingintersections.[citation needed]
_-_NARA_-_68886456_(page_1).gif)
