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Submitted Photo The new pickleball courts, new restroom and the Magic City Express platform are shown on the north end of Roosevelt Park.

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Submitted Photo The south end of Roosevelt Park where new zoo exhibits will be located is shown.

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As a part of MI-6 Downtown and MI-7-Roosevelt Park and Zoo phases of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project (MREFPP), spring construction has been resumed and activity will be ramping up through April into May and will continue through the construction season into late 2026, according to information from the Souris River Joint Board.

Phase MI-6 Downtown will be working from East Central Avenue to Eighth Street Southeast and into the entrance to Roosevelt Park. Work will continue on the flood wall in this area of the project, the Central Avenue gatewell structure and the new Roosevelt pump station. Riprap along the river channel, utilities, levee construction, a section of flood walls and significant infrastructure from Fourth Street Northeast to Eighth Street Southeast, along with road work, were completed in the last construction season.

Phase MI-7 Roosevelt Park and Zoo has completed all 81 flood wall panels within the park and the zoo, along with all utilities and a majority of the earthen levee. Backfill along the flood wall, final grading, restoration and paving will be worked on this season. The north playground equipment will be placed back in the park once ground conditions are favorable. Several new zoo exhibits will begin construction in the south area of the park to account for former exhibits that were removed from the north section of the zoo.

Access to the Roosevelt Park pickleball courts will be established by Saturday, April 11. However, construction activities will impact access, and the courts will be temporarily offline for periods this spring to allow for installation of the miniature railroad track and paving of parking lots. Roosevelt Park Pool will also open in 2026, with the dates Minot Park District will share with the community on its social media. The park district also will provide updates on opening dates and temporary closures to park facilities.

This will still be an active construction zone so patrons utilizing Roosevelt Park, pool and zoo areas will need to be cautious and alert when in this area.