Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail

THE PROJECT

Project Highlights

Public-private partnership
1.25-mile-long, 32 ft high elevated walkway, the longest pedestrian loop in the world
Adaptive reuse of a former aging monorail track, closed in 2013

Minnesota Zoo Treetop Trail repurposed a decommissioned 1.25-mile-long monorail track into an accessible pedestrian walkway in this public-private partnership project led by the Minnesota Zoo Foundation. The 32 ft high elevated walkway immerses visitors at the Minnesota Zoo offering extraordinary viewing perspectives of animals and nature. MBJ is the Structural Engineer of Record collaborating with Buro Happold to provide structural engineering services for this unique project modeled after New York’s High Line, an abandoned elevated rail line converted to a popular public park.

OUR IMPACT

REPURPOSING

of old monorail into elevated walkway

UNINTERRUPTED

zoo schedule during construction

IMMERSIVE

visitor experience

Service Provided

Structural Engineer of Record

OUR SOLUTIONS

MBJ collaborated with Snow Kreilich Architects to investigate the structural capacity of transforming the monorail track into the treetop trail. The project entailed designing a new walking surface, guardrails, and stabilizing materials on the existing monorail track. The existing monorail loading area was renovated into the main entrance to the trail. The project team also added key ADA-accessible entry and exit points, bump out areas for viewing, and amenities including shade, seating, signage, water fountains, and security equipment.

Project Details

Location:

Apple Valley, MN

Completed:

2023

Construction Cost:

$22,000,000

Owner:

Minnesota Zoo Foundation

Architect:

Snow Kreilich Architects

Contractor:

PCL Construction