Raspberry Island Regional Park

Once upon a time, I found a stairway on a bridge. Being the curious George that I am, I climbed down said stairway and found paradise.
In the smokiness of the busy downtown Saint Paul, underneath the Wabasha Street bridge, there lives an Island which a beautiful picnic area, a bandstand, walking path, access to the river, planting beds, benches, lighting. A bandstand where you can play your acoustic guitar and serenade your hipster girlfriend.
It was a secret get-​away from the city, as if no one claimed this land, and I walked around with a wicked snicker, if I had a flag I would call it DARSHY ISLAND!
Except as I was leaving, I found a sign that said Raspberry Island, and so my hopes and dreams vanished.
Raspberry Island was a recent upgrade project for the City of Saint Paul — which is expanding downtown Saint Paul to include more parks and activities, AKA trying to make Saint Paul infinitely cool​.ER.
Did I also mention it has a supposedly «beach» area — not that you would want to go swimming in the Mississippi but if you did, it’s there
I suppose it’s going to be packed in the summer, because those grills aren’t going to turn themselves on, in addition the city plans on creating concert events to use the bandstand/​acoustic area — to enhance summer afternoons.
but for now, if you’re overwhelmed and you work in downtown Saint Paul — hop DUWSB (pronounced DUH-​SAB) meaning Down under the wabasha street bridge, [You heard it here, on Unilocal first :) ] for a leisure afternoon to watch the city, or to have lunch in a park.