General Mills Nature Preserve — Habitats, History, and Trails

Location

9201 Olson Memorial Hwy
Golden Valley, MN 55427

General Mills Nature Preserve is a 27-acre park with three distinct habitats: shallow marsh, wet meadow and floodplain forest.

More than 50 different native plants grow throughout the Nature Preserve. Interpretive signs accompany visitors along a ½ mile trail that links to the City’s trail system. Positioned in the southeast corner of the Hwy 169 and Hwy 55 interchange, the Preserve offers convenient access to the community. It received its official dedication on July 11, 2007.

History of the Preserve

In the early 2000’s, the City of Golden Valley and General Mills explored improvements to the intersection of Hwy 55, Boone Ave, and General Mills Blvd. The goals were to support increased traffic, provide flood protection, and restore wetlands affected by the project.

General Mills donated land purchased for future office development so the project could proceed. The City transformed the area into floodplain storage and wetland mitigation.

A permanent conservation easement through the Minnesota Land Trust ensures that it will remain a stunning nature area that will be enjoyed for generations to come.