The City of Hastings' Riverfront Park is undergoing extensive redevelopment to restore a more natural environment and enhance access to the Mississippi River. Funds from various agencies and organizations, both public and private, have contributed to this initiative. The National Park Service - Mississippi National River and Recreation Area provided a $41,000 matching grant to develop an interpretive overlook. The overlook provides a wonderful opportunity to view the Mississippi River before continuing into the park along the City’s new riverfront trail. The area surrounding the overlook was planted with Switch Grass, Little Bluestem, and Purple Coneflower and has been seeded for additional native plants.

The National Park Service helped fund development of a restoration management plan for another, larger area of the park that was formerly an industrial area. Friends of the Mississippi River is working with the city on this plan. The National Park Service is also helping develop interpretive signage. Once completed, the project will provide an important ecological, as well as recreational, amenity and contribute to the vitality of the Hastings Riverfront.

Partners: City of Hastings, Friends of the Mississippi River.