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Here is a draft of the Minneapolis 2022 Walk for Opportunity Route. The
final may have some different bus info at the end and will include a map
and some phone numbers for if assistance is needed.<br><br>
<br><br>
<div align="center"><h1><b>2022 Walk for Opportunity Route
(Draft)</b></h1><br><br>
</div>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Overview:</b></h2><br><br>
Start on the Mall in uptown, between Irving and James. Head north and
walk counterclockwise around Lake of the Isles (keep the water on your
left). Walk almost all the way around the lake, getting off after the
Kenilworth Bridge. Take Dean Parkway west and south, cross lake street,
and then walk counterclockwise around Lake Bde Maka Ska (keep the water
on your left). Get off at the 31st street exit, walk east to Hennepin,
and take the bus to our lunch spot, the Red Cow 2626 Hennepin (or, if
you’re still feeling energetic by then, skip the bus and walk the rest of
the way there!)<br><br>
<br><br>
<h2><b>Details:</b></h2><br><br>
1. Start at the Mall between Irving and James. (The Mall, which is
between the two one way sections of W. 29<sup>th</sup> Street, begins
behind the Uptown branch of the Minneapolis Public Library and is
accessible from Hennepin by a sidewalk; however, at last check, some of
the Mall is blocked off because of construction, so, if you are
approaching it on foot from Hennepin, it is best to take Lagoon west to
Irving and then head north to the mall.<br><br>
<br><br>
2. Walk west to James Ave. Turn right (north) and cross the westbound
section of W. 29<sup>th</sup> St. and the Greenway. <br><br>
<br><br>
3. Continue on the east side of James for about a block to East. Lake of
the Isles Parkway, and turn right. Start looking to your left for a spur
sidewalk that will take you to a crossing point. Go across East Lake of
the Isles Parkway, walk down a long flight of stairs toward the lake,
cross the bike path, and turn right onto the walking path, which is the
past closest to the lake.<br><br>
<br><br>
4. Take the walking path counterclockwise around Lake of the Isles (keep
the water on your left). (Checkpoint #1 is on the north side of the
late). For your information, when you get to the west side, the street
around the lake becomes West Lake of the Isles Parkway. When you get to
Kenilworth Lagoon (on the southwest side of the lake), the walking path
will curve to the right, climb a small hill, and merge with the bike path
(walkers stay on the left). <br><br>
<br><br>
5. At that point, you’ll pick up a metal fence on your left, then a
bridge, then another metal fence. When you get to the second metal fence,
cross to your right over the bike path and start looking on your right
for the opening in the post and chain fence at the crosswalk. (Checkpoint
#2) There is a stop sign at the crosswalk, so listen for the stopping
cars. <br><br>
<br><br>
6. Cross to the west over West Lake of the Isles Road and keep going
west; this will put you on the north side of Dean Parkway walking
westward. Dean Parkway will gradually curve to the left, and when you
cross the intersection with Cedar Lake Road, you will be heading almost
straight south. Continue in that direction until you get to a very busy
street, which will be Lake Street.<br><br>
<br><br>
7. Turn left at that point and cross Dean Parkway; then turn right and
cross Lake Street. (Checkpoint #3) There will be pushbuttons on the light
posts at both intersections. After you get across Lake Street, continue
in the same direction, south, along West Bde Maka Ska Parkway. Since you
will be on the bike path at this point, head left when you can to get to
the walking path, which is closer to the lake. <br><br>
<br><br>
<i><u>Restroom Option 1</u>: Instead of going south, turn left and go
east along Lake Street until you get to the next set of lights, which
will be Thomas Ave. Don’t cross; instead, turn right and follow the
somewhat curvy sidewalk south toward the lake. When you cross the bike
path, angle slightly to the right; the portable toilets will be there.
After using them, continue in the same direction (west) around the lake.
<br>
</i><br>
<br><br>
8. Continue south around Bde Maka Ska (you will be going counterclockwise
around this lake too). At some places the bike and walking paths are next
to each other, so stay to the left. (Checkpoint #4 near Thomas Beach).
Eventually, West Bde Maka Ska Parkway will become East Bde Maka Ska
Parkway.<br><br>
<br><br>
<i><u>Restroom Option 2</u>: Thomas Beach is on the south side of Bde
Maka Ska, right after you start curving to the north. You should be able
to hear the cars in the parking lot on your left. Turn left into the
parking lot and go straight to the toilets, which are on the grassy
island separating the two sections of the parking lot. When you are done,
retrace your steps to the walking path, turn left, and continue. <br>
</i><br>
<br><br>
9. You will continue curving to your left (north) around the lake. You
may hear the traffic from 36<sup>th</sup> Street on your right, but after
that, there shouldn’t be much in the way of cross traffic sounds unless
you get near Lake Street. When you get to the intersection of East Bde
Maka Ska Lake Parkway and 31st Street, (checkpoint #5) cross the bike
path and go up a flight of steps to the Parkway. Turn left at the top of
the steps to locate a crosswalk. Cross the parkway and continue east on
the north side of 31st Street. <br><br>
<br><br>
<i>Restroom Option 3: If you continue past checkpoint #5 and walk up near
Lake Street, you will probably hear some activity to your left at the
Yacht Club. There are restrooms there, so turn in to your left if you
want to avail yourself of those. When you get done, head toward East Bde
Maka Ska Parkway. <br>
</i><br>
<br><br>
10. Continue on 31st Street to Hennepin (really busy street). Cross
Hennepoin to catch a #6 bus to 27th Street. Cross both 27th and Hennepin,
continuing North on Hennepin to find the Red Cow about a quarter of a
block north. Make sure to check in when you arrive at the Red
Cow.<br><br>
<i> <br>
</i><br>
<h2><b>Checkpoints:</b></h2><br><br>
#1 On the north side of Lake of the Isles<br><br>
#2 At the bridge over Kenilworth Lagoon <br><br>
#3 On the northeast corner of the intersection of Dean Parkway and Lake
Street.<br><br>
#4 On the south side of Bde Maka Ska near Thomas Beach<br><br>
#5 By the Yacht Club near the intersection of East Bde Maka Ska Lake
Parkway and Lake Street<br><br>
#6 At the Red Cow<br><br>
<br><br>
<b><i>Trouble?[numbers to be provided]</b></i></blockquote></body>
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