Visit Lex-Ham’s newest park! The Midway Peace Park located at 416 Griggs street is now open.

Park HIstory

During the initial phases of development along the Green Line on University in 2010, Gordon Parks High School students and Skyline residents both identified the need for green space. Much of the area is dedicated to parking lots and the lack of green space was obvious. With the help of Margaret Jones, Lex-Ham’s Executive Director at that time, Mayor Coleman was invited to Skyline to view the area for himself. Hundreds of postcards were presented during that meeting expressing the need for green space. Soon, the three parcels of land were identified as future park land.

In collaboration with the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department and the Trust for Public Land, Lex-Ham Community Council, Union Park District Council, Gordon Parks High School, CommonBond’s Skyline Tower, Hamline Midway Coalition, and many other community partners have worked together to bring this dream to life. The design for the park was created through two years of community-based engagement, listening, and planning focusing on cultural and neighborhood values. The naming of the park was done through broad-based input strategies and community polling.

Construction at Midway Peace Park began summer of 2019 and the park opened for use in late fall of 2020. An official grand opening is planned for June 15, 2021. Families have already been enjoying the playground equipment, art, green space, and basketball courts. Be sure to note the special rain-water capture feature made possible by Capitol Region Watershed District which will function as a stream running through the park. Signage for this feature was translated into the five languages most prominently represented in our neighborhood and can be accessed via QR code in the park.

To read more about the Midway Peace Park please visit the City’s website or check out Midway Peace Park on Instagram (@midwaypeacepark).