Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo recommended for $2.04 million grant to improve accessibility and infrastructure
December 8, 2025
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo has been recommended for a $2,040,000 grant from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC). The funding will support the replacement of two key pedestrian bridges that connect visitors to more than 350 acres of natural parkland.
The bridges being replaced were originally installed in 1974 and have served as the only internal access points to the park’s west and north areas. Over time, seasonal flooding and evolving accessibility standards have highlighted the need for modern infrastructure that better serves all visitors and supports park operations.
The new bridges will:
- Meet ADA standards, ensuring equitable access for all visitors
- Support emergency and maintenance access, with one bridge designed to accommodate light vehicles
- Enhance safety and environmental sustainability by reducing erosion, debris buildup, and water flow diversion during high-water events.
“These new bridges will open up accessibility to more of Oxbow Park that has long been difficult or impossible for many visitors to reach,” said Olmsted County Parks and Trails Director Karlin Ziegler. “By replacing these bridges, we’re ensuring everyone, regardless of mobility, can experience the full beauty and ecological richness of the park.”
Pending legislative approval in 2026, construction on the project will start summer of 2027.
The funding for the project comes from the Parks and Trails Legacy Fund, one of four funds created by the 2008 Minnesota Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. The GMRPTC provides recommendations to the Minnesota Legislature for grants supporting parks and trails of regional significance in Greater Minnesota. Since 2015, the Commission has awarded over $115 million in grants, matched by nearly $42 million in local investments.
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Media contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166