Construction Updates and Timelines

Originally built in 1986 as a half-mile path, Duluth’s Lakewalk was extended over the years with the help of Friends of the Lakewalk (FotL). Duluth’s Lakewalk now consists of over eight miles of paved pedestrian and bicycle trail stretching from Bayfront Park through Brighton Beach / Kitchi Gammi Park, much of it along the Lake Superior shore. Construction work continues to address major damage from past storms. There are four projects planned for 2024 – 2025 – 2026 that tie together:

- Kitchi Gammi Park (Brighton Beach) Project
- Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center Area
- Endion Station “Corner of the Lake” to 26th Avenue East
- Harbor Plaza/Baywalk/Seawall Project

Kitchi Gammi Park / Brighton Beach Park
The Brighton Beach Park project has been completed, and the park was fully opened on October 28, 2024. Upgrades throughout the park include a new one-way roadway, parking, extended Lakewalk, vault toilet facilities, picnic sites, memorial benches, shoreline resiliency, rewilding, ADA accessibility and much more.

Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center Area
A project to improve the lakeshore near the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center began in November 2024. Completion is projected into 2025. The project will construct a shoreline protection system comprised of a concrete T-wall armored by a stone revetment to decrease the adverse effects of weather and wave damage. The improvements will provide needed upgrades to the 200 feet of pedestrian walkway and ultimately connect the City of Duluth's Lake Walk structure to the Duluth Ship Canal North Pier

Endion Station “Corner of the Lake" to 26th Avenue East
Work will continue through 2025 and possibly into 2026 with the final phase from the Endion Station "Corner of the Lake" to 26th Avenue East. This includes repositioning and widening the Lakewalk to 12-15 feet, correcting ADA issues, continuing shoreline resiliency, reducing social trails, formalizing key trails, and adding natural play-space, vault toilets and a picnic pavilion, plus more!

Harbor Plaza/Baywalk/Seawall
Upon completion in mid-June 2025, this project will create and define a new harbor plaza area by reimagining the use and function of the waterfront and Harbor Drive between the Minnesota Slip Bridge and Bayfront Festival Park. It includes accommodations for the Great Lakes cruise ship industry, more intentional resting spaces, and improved walking and gathering areas.  Harbor Plaza/Baywalk/Seawall link is here.

Partnerships
The FotL organization actively partners with the City of Duluth and its Parks and Recreation department (https://duluthmn.gov/parks/) on designated projects for the benefit of the Lakewalk. We have provided input to analyze existing conditions, identify problem areas, and contribute ideas of needed park elements. Design solutions address shoreline protection, accessibility improvements, the need for signage, and creation of spaces for reflection and gathering along the city’s Canal Park tourism district and other areas including Brighton Beach.

ADA standards and safety improvements
FotL has been strong advocates that the Lakewalk needs to be brought up to ADA standards and to have safety elements addressed. There are three primary areas that currently do not meet ADA: hills at Leif Erikson Park, intersection and “S” curve grade at 23rd Ave E, and juncture at 26th Ave E. We are happy to announce that these will finally be corrected in 2025 to meet ADA standards and provide a safer environment for walkers, bikers, and motorists.

Signage
FotL Partnership and Project Committee members are teaming with Duluth Parks staff to plan for, fund, and install wayfinding and interpretive signage along the Lakewalk in 2025. Wayfinding/directional signs provide ties to adjacent neighborhoods. Interpretive signs address Duluth’s history, culture, and heritage.

Join & get involved
Help is always needed. By joining Friends of the Lakewalk, members receive emails, construction updates, and how to get involved with projects such as these.