Case Study - The Metropolitan Council Parks and Trails Project
Overview
Reimagining Twin Cities Trails for Accessibility and Connection
In 2020, the Metropolitan Council, in partnership with Imagine Deliver and regional park leaders, embarked on a project to reimagine the Twin Cities’ trail system with a focus on accessibility and community connectivity. The goal was to create a shared vision for trails that enhance access for all community members and foster collaboration between agencies that had rarely worked together before. As public spaces became even more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, trails evolved into essential resources for health, mobility, and social connection.
OBJECTIVE
Fragmented trail systems with limited accessibility.
Before this project, the Twin Cities’ trail systems were underutilized and lacked cohesion. Many trails were missing essential features like clear wayfinding, safety measures, and designs that could accommodate all users, including people with mobility challenges and non-English speakers. Often, trails were considered an afterthought rather than integral parts of the urban environment, and the lack of collaboration between agencies managing them contributed to their disjointed nature.
This fragmented approach meant that trails were not fully serving the community, missing the opportunity to become vital infrastructure that could support the region’s growing need for accessible public spaces.
STRATEGY
Collaborative strategy and community-driven design.
Imagine Deliver applied its User as Designer® methodology, leading a convening engagement that brought together regional park leaders. These workshops were designed to generate creative solutions that addressed the needs of communities traditionally overlooked in urban planning. The process focused on breaking down bureaucratic silos, empowering participants to reimagine trails as essential infrastructure for connectivity and accessibility across the city.
By centering the voices of end-users with direct experience navigating the trails, Imagine Deliver guided stakeholders to develop insight-driven solutions that emphasized safety, inclusivity, and ease of access.
IMPACT
A unified vision for connected, accessible trails.
The workshops produced a clear, actionable vision for a more connected trail system. Key recommendations included improving physical access for users with mobility challenges, introducing multilingual signage, and creating family-friendly programming to attract more diverse users. The group also developed strategies for making trails safer and more welcoming, aligning with broader goals for the Twin Cities Metropolitan region’s urban infrastructure.
Most importantly, the project equipped participants with concrete steps to address accessibility gaps and reframe trails as integral to urban mobility and community connection. This shift—from seeing trails as recreational features to viewing them as critical infrastructure—was a turning point in how these public spaces are envisioned and managed.
CONCLUSION
A new vision for trail systems in the Twin Cities.
The collaboration between the Metropolitan Council, Imagine Deliver, and regional leaders sparked a new way of thinking about trails in the Twin Cities. A dedicated Trails Team was established, bringing together representatives from ten agencies to collaborate on ongoing improvements. This newfound focus has led to the securing of new grants and the creation of a dedicated trail programs staff member to ensure the continued development of trail infrastructure.
This project has reshaped the conversation around the role of trails in the metro area. Trails are no longer just pathways through parks—they have become an essential part of how people move, how communities connect, and how cities evolve. They will continue to play a key role in the future development of the Twin Cities, ensuring that public spaces are designed to meet the needs of all residents.
