Newspaper History: Day 5 of 9 📰 While not technically a downtown park, Mill Ruins plays a major role in the Downtown Park system. It sits on the downtown side of the iconic Stone Arch Bridge, connecting past to present along the Mississippi River. Long before it became the green space we know today, sawmills and flour mills lined the banks, powering the city’s rise as the “Mill City” and shaping a booming industry that fed a growing nation. Today, layers of stone and steel still echo the stories of workers, families, and innovation. The preserved ruins aren’t just remnants, they’re reminders of the resilience and transformation that define Minneapolis. In the early 2000s, Mill Ruins Park was reimagined through a partnership between the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and the Department of Transportation, creating the historic-meets-modern space we enjoy today. #mplsdtparks #minneapolisparks #millruins