Efforts to Boost Walkability Meet Hostility in Twin Cities’ Suburbs

A fragmented network of sidewalks is commonplace in the suburbs of Hennepin County, Minnesota. Mary Jane Smetanka reports on controversial efforts to fill in the gaps and retrofit these suburban neighborhoods as walkable places.

2 minute read

June 12, 2013, 11:00 AM PDT

By Melody Wu


In the suburban communities of St. Louis Park, Hopkins, and Edina, a lack of sidewalks leaves residents with few safe solutions for reaching their destinations on foot. Cities like Hopkins historically had sidewalks, but when homeowners were held responsible for their maintenance, many simply removed them, rather than pay for their continual upkeep. In other places, changing policies and piecemeal sidewalk building by individual developments left a fragmented network.

However, as residents demand more opportunities to ditch their cars and connect to their neighbors, these communities are responding with sidewalk-building programs. “[Walkable communities] are a lifestyle asset, and cities are hip to that,” says John Archer, professor at University of Minnesota. “We have to keep attracting people who want to move here, and make this an attractive place, because people who are moving in don’t have the same affections that the old people did.”

Yet, not everyone is on board. “Sidewalks are difficult projects,” Hopkins City Engineer John Bradford said. “Everybody loves the sidewalk — on the other side of the street. That makes for contentious projects.” For long-time residents who’ve managed without a sidewalk for 50 years, the idea of replacing a strip of lawn with concrete is hard to swallow.

St. Louis Park will proceed with its 10-year plan to put a sidewalk within a quarter mile of every resident, although its project list was cut back 20 percent due to objections from residents and physical barriers, notes Smetanka. 

Saturday, June 8, 2013 in Star Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

The Seat of Government

Good Planning Under Bad Leadership

Planners must sometimes work under bad leadership. Here are suggestions for responsive planning in challenging political environments.

February 3, 2025 - Todd Litman

Close-up of Donald Shoup during interview.

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86

Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

February 10, 2025 - StreetsBlog NYC

Amtrak train with downtown Seattle in background.

Amtrak Cascades Line Breaks Ridership Record

The route linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC served nearly one million riders in 2024.

February 2, 2025 - Daily Hive

Vacant interior of open plan office with large buildings and stacked wood planks on floor.

Over 71K Office-to-Apartment Units in the Pipeline for 2025

Adaptive reuse projects are continuing to bring thousands of new housing units onto the market as demand for office space remains low.

February 12 - RentCafé

Crane and construction on multi-story buildings in downtown Houston, Texas.

How Houston Can Be a Model for Housing Reform

The city builds more new housing than almost any other and has dramatically reduced homelessness, yet low-income families struggle to find affordable housing.

February 12 - Urban Edge

Small rural USPS post office in manufactured one-story grey building with American flag in front.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes

Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

February 12 - Cowboy State Daily