Bruce Vento Regional Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bruce Vento Regional Trail |
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The Bruce Vento Regional Trail running under the Seventh Street Improvement Arches
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| Length | 7 mi (11 km) |
| Location | Ramsey County, Minnesota, USA |
| Trailheads | Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, St. Paul Beam Avenue, Maplewood |
| Use | Biking, hiking, in-line skating |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Season | Year-round |
| Sights | Swede Hollow, Greater East Side, Lake Phalen |
| Hazards | Street crossings |
The Bruce Vento Regional Trail is a fun path in Minnesota, USA. It's a special kind of trail called a rail trail. This means it was built on an old railroad line. The trail goes through several cities like Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, Maplewood, and Saint Paul. It's a great place for biking, hiking, and in-line skating.
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Discover the Bruce Vento Trail
This trail follows an old railroad path that the Burlington Northern Railroad used to own. It connects with another trail called the Gateway State Trail in Maplewood. The Bruce Vento Trail then continues towards Lake Phalen in Saint Paul. South of the lake, it goes along Phalen Boulevard. It also passes through a beautiful area called Swede Hollow. The trail ends near Seventh Street.
How Long is the Trail?
The main part of the trail is about 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) long. It starts north of Interstate 694 and goes all the way to Seventh Street. There's also an extra section along Phalen Boulevard. This part is about 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) long. Most of the trail was built in the late 1990s. The section along Phalen Boulevard was paved in 2005.
What Can You See on the Trail?
The Bruce Vento Trail is mostly away from busy roads. It offers a peaceful journey. In some spots, you'll ride or walk through quiet neighborhoods. You can even catch glimpses of Lake Phalen through the trees.
Scenic Spots and History
One of the most beautiful parts is in Swede Hollow. Here, the trail runs through a lovely ravine. At the south end of the trail, you'll see the Seventh Street Improvement Arches. This is a historic bridge. It was built a long time ago for trains to pass under Seventh Street.
Further north, you might see old factories. These used to belong to a company called 3M. The Phalen Boulevard extension of the trail goes through areas with offices and industries. But don't miss the top of the bridge over Westminster Junction. There's a special exhibit there. It tells the story of how railroads helped the city grow.
Who Was Bruce Vento?
The trail is named after a person named Bruce Vento. He was a U.S. Representative. This means he was a leader who helped make laws for the country. He worked to represent the people of Minnesota. Naming the trail after him honors his work.
A Look Back in Time
The path the Bruce Vento Trail uses today has a long history. Before it was the Burlington Northern Railroad corridor, it was used by the Northern Pacific Railway. Even before that, it was originally built as the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad. So, many trains have traveled this route over the years!
