[0:01] (cheerful music) [0:03] - Hello. [0:03] We're here today at Old Cedar Avenue, a premier trailhead [0:06] of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. [0:09] We really love showcasing this trailhead at the refuge [0:13] because of the way it can help facilitate [0:15] different stepping stones of engagement [0:17] and really help facilitate [0:19] different levels of nature experience. [0:21] The Old Cedar Avenue Bridge [0:22] is a historic bridge built in 1920. [0:26] The bridge served as the primary crossing point [0:28] into Burnsville from Bloomington up until the seventies [0:32] when Highway 77 was built and it became a walking bridge. [0:36] The bridge unfortunately started to see some decay [0:39] until a refurbishment occurred in the late 2010s [0:42] after the bridge was added [0:44] to the National Register of Historic Places. [0:46] It has an incredible parking lot with lots of space [0:49] for people to park. [0:50] The pavilion is a great spot. [0:53] It has restroom access, as well as picnic tables, [0:56] and a place to repair your bikes. [0:58] The nature play area is a great opportunity [1:01] for kids to come out [1:02] and get a early introductory experience into nature. [1:05] Inside the nature play area, there's various spaces, [1:08] such as making an eagle's nest, or building a fort. [1:12] Different kind of activities that can help you get [1:13] in the right head space towards embracing nature. [1:16] Little Free Library is a great space to check out books [1:20] and bring home nature things [1:21] and learn a little bit more about the nature you're seeing [1:24] through some reading materials. [1:26] Old Cedar Avenue is a great trailhead as well [1:28] because it's a hub of connections for different trails [1:31] across the refuge. [1:32] You have the Hogback Ridge Trail, [1:34] which takes you to Bass Ponds, [1:36] another great birding and fishing area. [1:38] If you head southwest down the trail, [1:41] you can get on the Bluff Trail [1:42] that connects down to Lyndale Avenue. [1:44] This is a great trail for walking. [1:46] The early parts from Old Cedar Avenue are closed to biking. [1:49] Lastly, on the bridge itself, if you cross the bridge, [1:53] it brings you to the Minnesota River. [1:56] And from the Minnesota River, [1:57] you can go either direction west or east [1:59] and continue down the Long Meadow Lake Trail. [2:02] If you fork off to the left, [2:04] once you get past the bridge a little ways, [2:06] you can go up over the Highway 77 Bridge, [2:09] and that will connect you to the Burnsville side [2:10] of the river and the trail network over there, [2:12] including the Minnesota River Greenway [2:14] and some DNR connections. [2:16] From the bridge itself, [2:18] you're greeted to views that are incredible, [2:20] as well as wildlife boardwalk observation area. [2:24] Long Meadow Lake, which is a gorgeous wetland [2:26] that's really at a great space for a ducks [2:29] and migratory waterfowl, especially in the fall. [2:32] Keep your eyes on the sky and maybe you'll find a cool bird. [2:36] Visitors to the bridge have the opportunity [2:38] to learn more about some of the history [2:40] and things going on at the bridge by using these QR codes [2:44] installed by Bloomington Creative Placemaking. [2:47] If you scan these with a Snapchat app, [2:48] it takes you to a page to learn more about the bridge. [2:53] Old Cedar Avenue is a great place [2:55] to check out whether you're a family looking [2:57] to explore nature with your kids [2:59] or a adult just looking to get some experience birding [3:02] or adventuring outside going on a hike. [3:05] There's all kinds of things that are available to you, [3:07] and the Old Cedar Avenue is a great place to start [3:09] no matter what you're looking for [3:10] in terms of outdoor recreation. [3:12] (cheerful music)