Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal

Prioritizing restoration, sustainability and desirable amenities to ensure Nine Mile Creek Corridor and Moir/Central Park continue to connect residents to nature and outdoor activities.

Skip to: The Park | The Need | The Plan | Project Updates | Public Engagement | The Cost | FAQ | Media & Resources | Contact Us

Community Celebration Event

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May 21, 4 - 6 p.m.

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Moir Park

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Community Celebration Event ~ May 21, 4 - 6 p.m. ~ Moir Park ~

The Park

Occupying more than 240 acres, Moir/Central Park in the Nine Mile Creek Watershed is one of the largest parks in Bloomington and is enjoyed by visitors from throughout the southwest metro area. Amenities include:

  • Baseball and softball fields

  • Disc golf course

  • Playgrounds

  • Two picnic shelters

  • Outdoor picnic areas

  • Volleyball court

  • Seasonal restrooms

  • Miles of improved and natural trails

Who does Nine Mile Creek and Moir/Central Park serve?

With its trails, sports features and traditional park amenities, Moir/Central Park, including the Nine Mile Creek waterway, serves walkers, hikers, nature enthusiasts, families with children of all ages, recreational athletes, public music and arts activities, private event rentals and much more!

The Nine Mile Creek Corridor provides key access to regionally significant trail networks, including the Cedar Lake Regional Trail, the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail, Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail and the Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail.  

The Need

The 2021 Park System Master Plan assessed existing park infrastructure, and established needs and priorities based on extensive stakeholder and community engagement and input.

Priorities identified through this process included new park shelter buildings, outdoor gathering spaces, natural resources, and increasing diversification of park amenities.

Did You Know?

The wooded area of the Nine Mile Creek corridor is part of a larger area identified by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as a conservation corridor. The streambed, banks, bridges and crossings all play a part in exacerbating erosion. The City will take a fresh look at creek crossings from an ecological perspective to improve erosion control and stormwater management.

The Nine Mile Creek Corridor is home to a variety of natural environments, including several acres of “remnant prairie” that predate human settlement. These valuable habitats require careful upkeep to maintain their health and protect against invasive species.

The Plan

A community-driven planning process will develop a new vision for Moir/Central Park, with design principles reflecting the Park System Master Plan’s priorities of natural resources, park facility needs, trails, mobility and equity.

As one of the most ecologically diverse natural areas in Bloomington, Nine Mile Creek requires proper maintenance to protect the area from invasive species and ensure that native plants and wildlife can thrive into the future.  

Planned Improvements

A wide array of improvements will be implemented including:

  • Stream and bankside restoration

  • 131 acres of woodland and wetland restoration

  • Invasive species prevention

  • New outdoor gathering space with restrooms

  • New playground

  • New park shelter building

  • ADA accessibility improvements

  • Trail enhancements

  • Possible boardwalk connection to Minnesota River

All items subject to change. Extensive community engagement will take place to help guide final decisions.

During the pandemic, Bloomington saw extraordinary use of its parks and trails. This high demand reinforced the value of providing residents with a variety of outdoor amenities. 

Timeline

  • March 2024: RFP for Architect/Engineer issued publicly

    • Response deadline was April 9, 2024

  • April - May 2024: RFP response review and selection of architect/engineer

  • Spring 2024: Environmental analysis begins

  • Spring - Fall 2024: Community engagement

  • 2024 - 2025: Design development and community engagement

  • Early 2026: Bid for construction

  • Spring 2026 - 2027: Construction

    all schedules subject to change

Team

  • Staff Contact

  • Architect/Engineer

    • TBD

  • Construction Manager

    • TBD

Project Updates

Visit this page often for updated project information.

  • Contract for architect/engineer will be awarded May 20.

Public Engagement

Feedback from residents continues to shape the Bloomington Forward plan. As we move forward with the design phase of the projects in 2024, the City will work to answer questions and provide residents with information.

The City of Bloomington is committed to keeping you informed on the timeline, features and benefits and construction progress of this project.

We are also committed to involving you in the process by providing ongoing and inclusive opportunities for public input into the decisions that are made over the lifecycle of the project, including (but not limited to) facility amenities, programming, and pricing.

Using the International Association of Public Participation engagement framework, we will:

  • Design engagement opportunities to involve residents, stakeholders and other interested parties.

  • Ensure you have a sense of connection to the project.

  • Provide follow-up to engagement activities that reflects how your input will be used.

Engagement Opportunities

How can I make my voice heard?

Check here for a list of engagement events and activities where you can share your thoughts on the Nine Mile Creek Corridor Renewal Project. In-person and online options will be offered.

The Cost & Funding

Improvements to the Nine Mile Creek Corridor will focus on restoration of over 100 acres of prairie, creek and woodland habitat and other outdoor amenities in park spaces. To ensure the park continues to connect residents to nature and outdoor activities, the City will invest $20 million to:

  • Restore eroded riverbanks

  • Protect natural habitat

  • Add new amenities to the park

  • Improve access 

Spreading the cost among residents and nonresidents 

In May 2023, Bloomington received legislative authorization to present voters with a referendum to fund the investments included in the Bloomington Forward plan via a half-percent local sales tax. Approved by Bloomington voters on November 7, 2023, an estimated 65% of the tax will be paid by nonresidents, according to research by the University of Minnesota. That means nonresidents will contribute an estimated $13 million toward the Nine Mile Creek project.

How Does The Sales Tax Work?

  • The local half-percent sales tax will be applied the same way as the state sales tax. The tax amounts to a half-cent for every $1 spent. For example, a $10 purchase will cost an additional 5 cents.

  • The local sales tax has the same exemptions for purchases as the state sales tax. These include groceries, clothing, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, feminine hygiene products and baby products. Sales of motor vehicles and boats are also exempt. For more information, view this list of taxable items and this list of most nontaxable items from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. 

  • Collections from the local sales tax will be used to make bond payments to finance the project for up to 20 years. The tax will expire when the bonds for the project are paid off. This approach allows current residents to take advantage of the improvements while the bonds are being repaid.  

Did You Know?

The average cost of the half-percent sales tax for Bloomington residents will be approximately $100 per household each year, or $8.33 per month.

For more information about the local option sales tax, visit blm.mn/sales-tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common questions about the Nine Mile Creek Corridor project here!

  • Occupying 240 acres, Moir/Central Park in the Nine Mile Creek Corridor is a beautiful slice of nature, featuring trails and many outdoor amenities that residents enjoy. The Nine Mile Creek Corridor serves as a key connection to the Minnesota River Valley, as well as a regional trail connection to the Cedar Lake Regional Trail, the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail, Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail and the Nokomis-Minnesota River Regional Trail.

    As one of the most ecologically diverse natural areas in Bloomington, Nine Mile Creek requires greater maintenance to protect the area from invasive species and ensure that native plants and wildlife can thrive into the future.

    To ensure Moir/Central Park and the Nine Mile Creek Corridor continue to connect residents to nature and outdoor activities, the City will restore eroded riverbanks, enhance and protect natural habitat, add new amenities to the park and improve access.

  • The Nine Mile Creek Corridor is one of the most ecologically diverse areas in Bloomington. The project will improve access to the area without disrupting the natural surroundings of the Nine Mile Creek Corridor. The City will restore eroded riverbanks and protect natural habitat while improving access for the public.

  • No. The project will focus on restoring eroded banks along the creek and protecting natural habitat from invasive species in order to ensure that native plants and wildlife thrive in the future.

  • New amenities for Moir Park include an outdoor gathering space, specifically a new picnic shelter with restrooms. There will also be a new accessible playground. Other new amenities and updated greenspace will be included in place of the diamond field as informed through community engagement.

  • The investments for Nine Mile Creek Corridor will focus primarily on preservation and habitat restoration. Improving access is also a goal, but new trail projects, including those for bikes, will have to go through a rigorous review process to make sure the corridor is protected. This review process will include input from Bloomington residents as well as wildlife and habitat experts.

    In 2024, the City would explore various concepts to improve access, including a trail connection from Moir Park to the lower trails as well as new bridges. However such ideas are preliminary and will require extensive review and community input before moving forward.

  • There will be 131 acres of woodland and wetland restoration. The goal of this work is to manage invasive species and increase diversity. Specific improvements to Nine Mile Creek include restoring the creek, banks, and bluffs and repairing erosion.

  • There are several partners, including Nine Mile Creek Watershed District and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The City will seek other partnerships through grants in 2024.

Media & Resources

Learn more about Bloomington Forward.

Prescribed burns are an important management technique for conserving natural areas like the Nine Mile remnant prairie, just one way the City is restoring the Nine Mile Creek corridor.

Kittentails are a threatened species in Minnesota. They can be found along parts of the Nine Mile Creek corridor. Learn more about restoration efforts to expand habitat for species like Kittentails.

Contact Us

Do you have questions or comments? Email us at forward@bloomingtonmn.gov

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