I’m Walkin’ Here! A Pedestrian’s Guide to Strolling Through Grand Forks

When I first determined that I’d be boomeranging my way back to Grand Forks from the Twin Cities metro, I was thrilled about the prospect of living downtown again. As it turns out, Grand Forks is the most walkable place I’ve ever lived. Having grown up in the western suburbs of Minneapolis-St. Paul, there were sidewalks and multi-use paths everywhere, but they didn’t lead anywhere in particular, they just meandered and wouldn’t bring you where you were keen to go. Grand Forks was the first place I could truly accomplish an errand under the power of my own two feet. Since I left Grand Forks and moved back, even more businesses have moved downtown, including a grocery store which further enhances the pedestrian experience.

Contrary to popular belief, Grand Forks has several neighborhoods in the city that are great fodder for even the most casual pedestrian. Below I’ll talk about four neighborhoods whose sidewalks I’ve enjoyed sauntering along since moving back. As a bonus I’ll discuss ways to remain bipedal even when the mercury starts dropping.

Before you lace up your best walking shoes and start burning rubber, I need to express a few caveats and define a term or two. To begin, this list is not exhaustive, these neighborhoods are simply the ones that I have the most experience with and places I enjoy exploring on foot. There are without a doubt, other neighborhoods which provide great amenities within a comfortable walking distance. Then there’s the term “walkable” which has varying definitions depending on who is defining it. My personal working definition of “walkable” is: Do I enjoy walking here? Do I feel generally safe doing so? Is the area visually interesting? Can I get something done on foot? I was graced with a long inseam so what is walking distance for me might not be for you. Now without further ado let’s get walking!

Having been a denizen of downtown for all  my time in Grand Forks, this might seem a little biased but when I think of walkability I think of Downtown. The sidewalks are wide and well maintained with attractive pavers and hardscaping which provide a feeling of security and separation from traffic. Moreover, this infrastructure actually leads to places where one might want to go. Downtown boasts dozens of options for entertainment and dining in addition to events that are periodically hosted in and around Town Square like farmers markets and concerts.

More practical matters can also be attended to on foot. If you were to park or leave your apartment Downtown, it would not be out of the question for you to; meet a business associate for a coffee, attend a fitness class, get a suit fitted, renew a passport and buy a bag of groceries all the while being within a 10-15 minute walk of where you started. Furthermore, your afternoon of running errands would prove to be visually interesting as you pass by a mix of architectural styles from many eras. If you feel the need to stretch your legs further, there is an entrance to the Greenway at the Sorlie Bridge and at 3rd Street and 2nd Ave.

The Near North Neighborhood (NNN) is located directly north of Downtown (it’s not just a clever name!) and is situated between University Avenue on its south end and Gateway Drive on its north end. It’s less the entertainment and commercial hub that Downtown is but it still offers plenty of opportunities for burning shoe leather! There are several fast-food options and convenience stores interspersed throughout this neighborhood that make for a quick and economical bite. Mature trees, long blocks, and older homes make the Near North a great place to walk on a hot summer day, especially if your destination is the North Side Dairy Queen. If you cross the road you can lounge at Skidmore Park amongst a bed of flowers and a 5-ton granite horse trough.

Though there are few businesses located within Riverside, many businesses are walking distance from this neighborhood. The UND Fitness Trail runs directly through Riverside and along the north side of Gateway providing a safe and convenient way to access businesses there. There is also a pedestrian tunnel that connects to the Near North Neighborhood. In addition, the Greenway connects directly to Riverside by way of Riverside Park.

This neighborhood has the lowest Walkscore among the four neighborhoods I’ve explored but what lacks in technical walkability it makes up for in charm. The Near Southside neighborhood borders Downtown and is characterized by wide sidewalks that are canopied by mature trees and lined with historic homes from several eras. Though the number of businesses are fewer here, access to the Greenway is fantastic with the entrance to Lincoln Park located off of 13th Ave. and Belmont Road. At a brisk pace, you can walk the length of the Near Southside in roughly 15 minutes. However, I often find myself wishing it took longer!

WEAR ICE CLEATS

Ice cleats are the pedestrian’s secret weapon in the winter. They provide the grip and security on ice that a rubber-soled shoe can’t compete with. They can be obtained affordably at many retailers for around $25-$30 and will stretch over most shoes. Strapping these on will turn a potentially treacherous bipedal experience into a safer saunter!

BRING A HEADLAMP

Winter in Grand Forks is a dark time of year. Literally. If you’re going for a walk before or after work, it will likely be dark. Bringing a headlamp or another source of illumination to light your path and help you be seen by motorists is a wise choice!

START INTO THE WIND

This is a tip I’ve picked up being a winter runner. This tip is not always actionable but when you can make it work it makes outdoor winter activities that much more bearable. If it works with your chosen route, start your walk into the wind. This will prevent you from becoming overheated, starting to sweat and then having to finish your walk into the wind.