Riverfront Park

From the earliest stages in creating a park on the banks for the Minnesota River, Paulsen Architects has been involved in shaping this exciting and unique public space. In cooperation with the City of Mankato, Paulsen is converting this former industrial site into a much-needed gathering space for culture and recreation.

The park, located just north of downtown Mankato, will help rejuvenate the Old Town District and offer a critical link to the City's commitment to urban planning. The park will: provide a new venue for festivals and concerts, improve access to the popular Sakatah Bike Trail, preserve open space for the community and provide a reconnect access to the Minnesota River.

A new 1,240 square-foot Riverfront Pavilion, including public restrooms, a lobby and a sheltered picnic area, will be the central gathering space of the park and provide a convenient and user-friendly to place to gather. The Pavilion, designed to echo Mankato's past, will blend in with the nearby historic buildings.

The park will be a designated Trailhead to the Sakatah trail system--a beautiful non-motorized trail that is popular with pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians. Festival space including an amphitheater with seating for 1,000+ people and a boat landing are also planned. Educational kiosks, dotted along the Park, highlighting the artesian well on the site as well as the local ecology, geology, and native plants of the Minnesota River Valley will also be featured.

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