The Coon Rapids Dam has been considered for removal several times since its construction in 1914. Discover the pros and cons of dam removal and factors that affect the fate of dams in our area. Then take a short walk to explore features of the Coon Rapids Dam and learn about the dam’s current role and how it has changed over the years.
The annual litter cleanup extravaganza returns! Join Mississippi Park Connection, the National Park Service, and the City of Saint Paul in cleaning up the spaces we love in celebration of […]
How do you listen to water? Join Saint Paul musician and composer Dameun Strange for an afternoon of sonic exploration. Together we will learn about the physics of sound waves, hear field recordings, and explore the sounds of our watershed on an outdoor sound walk. Participants will then learn to make field recordings using simple […]
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day along the Great Mississippi Flyway! Learn what makes this spot on the river so captivating for migratory birds. Check out the live raptors, attend a family-friendly bird walk or an indoor talk about bird conservation. Visit the new Gateway Center, Treetop Trail or walk across the dam. Food trucks with […]
Adopt-a-Drain and the Metro Watershed Partners are offering discounted tickets for members of the Adopt-a-Drain program to come to the Minnesota Twins Game at Target Field stadium on Saturday, May 2. There will be an Adopt-a-Drain pre-game parade around the field with program participants, and information will be shared about the Sacred Water Shared Future […]
Get out and stretch your legs along the banks of the Mississippi River to find geocaches with trivia questions at each stop. Can you answer more of the river-related questions correctly than anyone else?
Do you know what happens after you flush? Learn about our wastewater system, how we minimize the stinky odors connected to the process, and what happens to the water before it returns to the Mississippi River.
Drop a line in the mighty Mississippi River to see what is biting. Learn river fishing techniques and discover which fish call this river home. Equipment, bait and fishing license provided for the program.
Join us on Saturday, May 9, for a Sidewalk Poetry Workshop in partnership with Public Art Saint Paul. Attendees will be introduced to the 2026 Sidewalk Poetry Contest and invited to submit their own work to the juried pool of poetry. The contest is open to all residents of Saint Paul. The theme of this […]
Scoop for small aquatic animals along the edge of the river. Learn about what they eat, who eats them and what they tell us about the health of the mighty Mississippi River. All ages welcome. Free.
For 30 years, the Big River Journey field trip has engaged children on the Mississippi River. Our flagship program takes 3rd through 5th graders out on an authentic paddleboat in the Mississippi River for an eight mile journey filled with hands-on learning opportunities. Once a year, this field trip is open to grown-ups! We’ve kept […]
The Mississippi Muse series explores different aspects of the Mississippi River through a scientific and creative lens. Visualize and discover the earth’s processes that have shaped the river through this hands-on workshop. Explore the riverbed for evidence of geological history, then unearth some “wild clay” (natural clay deposits from the earth). Learn how to process […]
The Sacred Water Shared Future campaign is powered by you! The heart of this centennial celebration is the incredible variety of events planned and hosted by our partners — community groups, nonprofits, businesses, schools, and individuals who feel a connection to the Mississippi River.
We do not host events ourselves; instead, we serve as a central hub for river-focused activities happening across the Twin Cities throughout 2026.