On August 8, 2012, we visited our 8th park in the 6th state.  Mississippi River National River and Recreation Area.  St Paul, Minnesota.  Here is a link to their video that explains their Mission Statement better than I can.   http://www.nps.gov/common/commonspot/customcf/audio_video/dspEmbeddedObject.cfm?vFileName=/media/mwr/avElement/conv/miss-video3minute_960x720.mp4&vWidth=960&vHeight=720

This Visitor's center is very difficult to find, because it is in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota and is located on the first floor of the Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd. 

Other than coming here to get the Park Stamp there is no reason for you to come here.  Unless you are interested in visiting the Science Museum, which I am sure is very nice, but that was not the purpose of our visit.

This National Park has many purposes.  I am sure their most important goal is too show everyone how we have polluted our rivers and encourage everyone to be as "green" as they can.  The park encompasses 72 miles of river and includes the river fronts in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.

The Mississippi made the twin cities, because it provided a method of transport for the products of the north, flour (Gold Metal Flour) in the above picture as well as lumber and many more.  With the heavy industry came pollution of the river.

Saint Anthony Falls and dam provide water for the lock.

This is still a working lock.  The river is cleaner now, a work in progress and is being using for a sorts of recreation.