New downtown Minneapolis park blends mill ruins, Indigenous culture Water Works is the Mpls. Park Board's latest project in a long effort to increase public access to the Mississippi. May 20, 2021 — 12:03pm Text size Copy shortlink: A new downtown Minneapolis park that aims to draw more visitors to the historic Mississippi riverfront is now open. Water Works, a $24 million, three-acre project, sits within Mill Ruins Park and overlooks the Stone Arch Bridge. It features an 1,800-square-foot patio with gas fire pits, terraced steps with a winding ramp for accessible public gatherings, a mezzanine lawn for performances, a playground and a combined bike and pedestrian street, called a woonerf, connecting downtown Minneapolis to West River Parkway.