Parks and Trails
Rice Creek Commons Parks and Trails
The Rice Creek Commons development will include almost 100 acres dedicated to open spaces, parks, and trails. A natural resources corridor will meander through the site, serving as a wetland mitigation and stormwater management system as well as an opportunity to cultivate wildlife habitat with native plants and grasses. There are also parks and public areas planned for each neighborhood in the development. Amenities may include recreational amenities such as soccer fields and pickleball as well as picnic areas, public plazas and open natural spaces.
Ramsey County Parks and Trails
Ramsey County Parks & Recreation have planned for additional park and trail amenities immediately adjacent to the Rice Creek Commons that will serve as community resources for future residents of the development as well as existing residents of Arden Hills and nearby cities. In 2020, Ramsey County Parks & Recreation amended the Rice Creek North Regional Trail Master Plan which includes plans to build a bike and pedestrian trail and trailhead facility with for all-season activities on 112 acres adjacent to Rice Creek Commons. With these facilities, Rice Creek Commons will connect to a regional system of over 240 miles of trails through the Twin Cities.
Rice Creek Remeander
Rice Creek underwent a major transformation in 2015-2016. A section of the creek runs through the Rice Creek Commons site from the north at County Road I to the south at the intersection of County Road H and I-35W. Originally flowing along a winding path that included many twists and turns, the creek was straightened in the early 1900s for agricultural purposes. The straightened route resulted in faster flowing water, which increased erosion along the stream bank and bed. Because the land is no longer used for farming, the creek did not need to remain straightened.
Under the direction of the Rice Creek Watershed District, the middle section of Rice Creek was transformed back to its original, meandering path and stabilized along its banks with native plants and trees. Nearly 2,000 new feet of stream were created during the course of the project. As a result, recreation, aesthetics, and wildlife habitat are all expected to improve.
In addition, Ramsey County collaborated with the Rice Creek Watershed District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on a similar project prompted by plans to reconstruct the I-35W interchange at County Road H and build significant public infrastructure on the Rice Creek Commons site in 2016. More than 500 feet of new creek channel were created at County Road H east of I-35W with back water pools to slow channel flow and mitigate erosion. Wetlands were created and the floodplain was restored to improve habitat for native wildlife.
Funding for both projects was provided through county funds and a $3 million Clean Water Fund Grant from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment approved by Minnesota voters in 2008.