To improve bio-diversity and habitat connectivity while offering more opportunities for recreation and education along the upper Mississippi River, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board hired Barr and Tom Leader Studio to design the re-creation of Hall’s Island. The project helped transform an industrial river corridor into a valuable habitat for birds, aquatic species, and other wildlife and a community asset for cyclists, runners, walkers, canoeists, kayakers, anglers, and nature enthusiasts.
Barr provided river and sediment-transport modeling, channel and island design, environmental impact assessments and permitting, and site investigations to delineate contaminated fill and debris. We prepared a response action plan and provided oversight of the cleanup and island construction. Barr’s design allowed for the reuse of clean soil and rip rap from the park site to build the island. Imported clean cover placed in the beach area, on the island, and below the water provides a protective barrier over contaminated soils and sediments and created habitat features specifically designed for mussels, turtles, and fish.