The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway is a linked series of park areas in
Minneapolis,
Minnesota, United States, that takes a roughly circular path through the city. The
Minneapolis 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 of
Civilian Conservation Corps projects.
Mississippi Rivergorge area extends from downtown Minneapolis to
Minnehaha Park. The byway follows West River Parkway, and passes the west bank of the
University of Minnesota. After Franklin Avenue there are multiple access points from the byway to the adjacent
Winchell Trail. Several bridges connect the byway with trails on the east bank, in both Minneapolis and
Saint Paul. Portions of this section of the route are also part of the signed
Mississippi River Trail (MRT) bicycle route.
Victory Memorial includes the northwestern edge of Minneapolis. The byway follows
Victory Memorial Parkway, which commemorates the contributions of people from
Hennepin County in World War I. Victory Memorial Parkway becomes Weber Parkway. The byway follows the
Camden Bridge across the Mississippi River, which marked the
head of navigation for
barge traffic on the river until the lock at
Upper Lock and Dam was taken out of service.
Northeast runs through
Northeast Minneapolis. The byway follows St Anthony Parkway to Stinson Parkway, and follows that road south to Ridgway Parkway. It passes
Columbia Park and Deming Heights Park, and terminates at Francis Gross Golf Course.
Shared-use paths
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 a
National 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 the
Great River Road along the Mississippi River.
The city purchased all the land immediately adjoining
its 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 as
semi-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 the
asphalt paving along the road has a reddish tone so that drivers can more easily determine where to go upon reaching
intersections.