Mississippi Gateway Regional Park Receives 2026 AIA Minneapolis Merit Award

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Mississippi Gateway Regional Park has been honored with a 2026 AIA Minneapolis Merit Award, recognizing the project’s innovative design, environmental leadership, and commitment to creating equitable access to nature for all.

What was once two disconnected park sites along the Mississippi River is now one of the region’s most vibrant destinations for recreation, education, and community connection.

Developed in partnership with Three Rivers Park District, WSB, H+U Construction, and a multidisciplinary team of consultants, the project transformed nearly 290 acres of riverfront landscape into a unified regional destination anchored by the Gateway Center. More than a building, the Gateway Center serves as a welcoming hub for environmental education, recreation, and community gathering, seamlessly connecting visitors to the surrounding landscape and the Mississippi River.

The project redefines how a regional park can serve its community. Expansive glazing, intuitive circulation, flexible gathering spaces, and direct access to trails create an experience that encourages exploration, learning, and connection. From the elevated Treetop Trail to the interactive “Mini Mississippi” water feature, visitors can engage with the natural environment in ways that are both immersive and accessible.

Community voices played a central role in shaping the vision. Through more than 50 public listening sessions, the design team and Three Rivers Park District identified a shared desire for greater access to nature and the riverfront. The resulting park removes physical and psychological barriers through welcoming architecture, universally accessible amenities, and spaces designed to support a wide range of experiences—from active recreation and social gathering to quiet reflection.

The impact has been significant. Since opening, visitation has increased dramatically, reflecting the park’s success in reconnecting people to the Mississippi River and creating a destination that resonates with residents and visitors alike.

Environmental stewardship was equally central to the project’s design. The Gateway Center was designed to meet Minnesota B3 guidelines and is Net Zero-ready, incorporating geothermal systems, daylighting strategies, a high-performance building envelope, and bird-safe glazing along a major migratory corridor. Throughout the park, native plantings, shoreline stabilization efforts, and innovative stormwater management features support the ecological health of the Mississippi River while creating opportunities for environmental education.

This recognition from AIA Minneapolis celebrates not only design excellence but also the power of collaboration to create places that strengthen communities and deepen connections to the natural world.

We are honored to share this award with Three Rivers Park District, WSB, H+U Construction, numerous other project partners, and the many community members whose voices helped shape Mississippi Gateway Regional Park into a destination rooted in place and designed for all.