Discover the fun of birding from a bicycle while checking out the public art in a vibrant mixed industrial/residential section of Saint Paul. We will search for urban birds in pocket parks, vacant lots, and along the UMN Transitway and RR tracks while exploring the murals sponsored by the Chroma Zone Festival (https://www.chromazone.net). The 2024 festival will start September 19 so we will have the opportunity to see the newest murals (and possibly some nervous artists doing final painting), and avoid the crowds. Optional ride after along the Mississippi River to find riverside birds.

LOCATION      Saint Paul’s Creative Enterprise Zone https://www.creativeenterprisezone.org

DIRECTIONS   Park nearby or take Metro Transit (Green Line stop: Raymond) and meet on bikes in Hampden Park, 993 Hampden Ave W, St Paul, MN 55114 (ACROSS THE STREET from Hampden Park Co-op pictured here.)  44.97000495061184, -93.19900698929779

INFORMATION     Bring bicycle, helmet, binoculars, lunch, snacks, sunscreen and water. Leader will bring a first aid kit. You may want a camera for the murals.

REGISTRATION     Required and limited to 8 participants. CONTACT   sherrygray@yahoo.com  to register.  Participants will be asked to sign a liability release form at the start of the trip.

DIFFICULTY    Route is level and paved, but mostly on city streets which at times can be high traffic, including very large trucks (semis), so participants encourage to have bike lights and wear high vis clothing. As there are many excellent murals, the pace will be relaxed. Birders, art lovers and bicyclists of all levels, including newbies, very welcome to join.

LEADER     Sherry Gray   sherrygray@yahoo.com