BUILD IT RIGHT !
BUILD IT GRAND !
BUILD IT NOW !

Como neighbors call for action by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) -- to create the Grand Rounds Parkway and adjacent park spaces in Como.

The Grand Rounds. The magnificent Grand Rounds Parkway has existed in Minneapolis for 100 years, for auto touring, biking, and enjoyment of its adjacent parks and facilities. It's a splendid signature amenity of Minneapolis parks, running along the outer borders of the city, on its south, west and north sides.

Grand Rounds in Como. The fact is that the Grand Rounds has still never been built in the Como neighborhood. This has been the "missing link" in the Grand Rounds for too long. The time has come to complete the Grand Rounds loop of parkway and parks around the edges of Minneapolis, as planned a century ago by the founders of the Minneapolis park system. But -- the Como Grand Rounds has to be built along the right route, built with adjacent park and green space similar to other Grand Rounds sections, and finally built to completion in Como by 2028. Here is why --

BUILD IT RIGHT !

The right route for the Como Grand Rounds has been selected and endorsed by the MPRB and Como three times!

In 2007-2008, the Como neighborhood and park board worked together for months to select the Como route for the Grand Rounds, using the park board process with input by community along with technical experts and government representatives. The selected route was approved unanimously by the MPRB board -- east of 29th Avenue SE, along the city's east edge. It is shown in the map above. Next, in 2016, after a year of work, Como recommitted to this Grand Rounds route with our community's "Como Blueprint" neighborhood plan, and this was approved by the city of Minneapolis. Then in 2019 another park board and community trail planning project again re-selected the route, east of 29th Ave SE, along Como's eastern edge. So -- Como, the MPRB parks, and city all know the route where the Grand Rounds should go through Como's east side, where there is unused/underutilized warehouses and other space to make way for it.

BUILD IT GRAND !

The illustration above shows how the new Como parkway should look, with its park drive and bikeway. Just as important is that the Como Grand Rounds should include a generous amount of park space, with green space and recreational amenities, along its route. The east side of the Como neighborhood has never had the close access to park space that would meet the MPRB's own standard for park access -- which applies elsewhere to 90%+ of the city. So -- yet another reason why the Como Grand Rounds and park space are clearly justified. So now after 100 years, Como asks that a truly "grand" parkway be built here. Another key design feature is that there is high ground in east Como that offers great views. From there, the parkway should provide bikers, walkers, and drivers a wonderful view west over the city from the Como Grand Rounds, along with picnic and recreation space. Creating a truly "grand" Como Grand Rounds will be a tremendous enhancement for our Como neighborhood!

BUILD IT NOW !

After 100 years, it is time for the MPRB to get the Como Grand Rounds built -- on the right route and with grand adjacent park spaces -- by 2028. It has been dismaying to learn how little activity and progress the MPRB has made since the Como Grand Rounds route selection back in 2008. But now -- with solid support from Como, Como's city council members, state representatives, and public groups like bike and trail associations -- this vision for Como comes closer -- let's move ahead to acquire and construct the Como Grand Rounds for a grand 2028 opening !

We invite everyone in Como and elsewhere to state your support for the Como Grand Rounds -- sign this petition now -- thank you for your support !

Larry Crawford - Connie Sullivan - Jeff Haberer - Wendy Menken -
Steve Peterson - Pat Eliason - Greg Hindy
Como Neighbors for the Grand Rounds

Contact / Email updates: OurBetterComo@gmail.com