Cedar Prairie & Regional Trail

The Cedar Prairie & Regional Trail forms Cedar Lake Park’s east–west edge, linking Minneapolis to the western suburbs. The corridor includes the Western Extension — the stretch that continues west of Cedar Lake Parkway, passes beneath the overhead footbridge, and carries the trail into St. Louis Park. Together, these segments function as one continuous regional connection.

Saved from Development

This landscape — along with The Conservancy — is part of the 48 acres that were once former rail yard lands and were purchased and saved from private development in the 1990s. What could have become buildings instead became public green space, reshaped for both people and habitat.

A First Experience of the Park

For many, this is a first experience of Cedar Lake Park. Thousands pass through each year on foot or by bike. Movement happens alongside native grasses, seasonal flowers, birds, and pollinators — infrastructure designed to move people well while supporting living systems.

The trail connects neighborhoods, parks, and communities across city boundaries. At the same time, the surrounding prairie supports native plants and the wildlife that depend on them. In spring and summer, flowering plants line the trail edge. In fall, grasses shift with the wind.

For some, this is a route. For others, it becomes a daily connection to nature.

From Rail Bed to Rolling Prairie

This corridor was once a flat rail bed. A landscape architect reshaped the land with gentle rolling contours, shallow water-holding basins, and varied soil conditions. These changes slow stormwater, reduce runoff, and create habitat diversity. What appears simple is intentionally designed to support a wider range of species.

Why Prescribed Burns Matter

Prairie is one of North America’s most threatened ecosystems. In an urban setting, it does not persist without care. Ongoing stewardship includes invasive species management, monitoring, and periodic prescribed burns. Because burns require trained staff and equipment, they depend on park board resources.

Continued investment ensures that the Cedar Prairie & Regional Trail — including the Western Extension — remains both a reliable regional corridor and a resilient prairie landscape.