By Tim Naumann, Luce Line Brewing Co.

Every great community begins with a gathering place where people come together, share experiences, and feel like they belong. For us, that place has always been Luce Line Brewing Co.

From the beginning, our brewery was never just about making beer. It became a place where neighbors connected after work, families gathered on weekends, cyclists stopped along the trail, and friendships formed between people who may have otherwise never crossed paths. It showed us something powerful: communities grow stronger when everyone has a place at the table.

The idea for the Luce Line Foundation was born from a simple belief: a community should be designed so everyone can participate.

A Story That Changed Our Perspective
Before our brewery opened, while we were still building the brewhouse, we heard a familiar sound at the front window—tap, tap, tap.

When we looked up, we saw Chris Becker and his mother, Rose, looking inside. They lived nearby, and Rose had pushed Chris’s wheelchair up a steep hill because he wanted to see what was being built in his neighborhood.

Our construction site was not accessible, but we moved equipment and materials to create a temporary path so Chris could explore. He rolled through the building, asked questions, and eagerly learned about the brewing process.

Chris became our first brewery tour guest.

He also became part of our brewery family.

Over the years, Chris was a familiar face at Luce Line Brewing. He joined events, connected with neighbors, and even won first place in our first Halloween costume contest dressed as “The Devil’s Table”—a creative costume built around his wheelchair that brought smiles to everyone who saw it.

Chris reminded us what community is supposed to be: a place where people are known, welcomed, and included.

A Vision Inspired by Inclusion
Over time, circumstances changed. The steep path that Chris and Rose once navigated became a barrier they could no longer overcome.

Chris still wanted to be part of the community.

The challenge was that the community had not been built to fully include him.

That realization led us to ask an important question:

How many people are missing out on community experience simply because access to and from the trail is not designed for everyone?
The answer became the foundation of the Luce Line Foundation.

Accessibility is more than meeting a requirement or checking a box. It is about independence, dignity, and belonging. It is about creating spaces where children, parents, grandparents, veterans, adaptive athletes, cyclists, walkers, and people of all abilities can enjoy the same experiences together.

Transforming an Opportunity Into a Destination
Adjacent to Luce Line Brewing Co. is an unused Union Pacific railroad corridor—an overlooked piece of land with tremendous park potential.

For years, neighborhood children have played near the abandoned tracks, searching for adventure in a space that was never designed for safe recreation. But within that corridor is an opportunity: a naturally gentle grade that can support accessible connections and transform an underused property into a welcoming community destination.

The vision is to create a fully inclusive neighborhood park featuring:

• ADA-accessible trails connecting directly to the Luce Line Trail
• Inclusive play areas where children of all abilities can play together
• Accessible gathering spaces for families and neighbors
• Community gardens
• An entertainment stage for music, education, and events
• Safe lighting and improved security

This project is about replacing barriers with possibilities and creating a place where everyone has the opportunity to participate.

Opening the Door to the Luce Line Trail
The Luce Line Trail is one of Minnesota’s most valued recreational corridors, connecting communities across the state and welcoming thousands of walkers, runners, cyclists, families, and adaptive athletes each year.

Yet, at our location, there is an opportunity to create something that does not currently exist: an accessible neighborhood gateway to this incredible regional resource.

The Luce Line Foundation’s vision is to create an inclusive front door to the trail—a place where people of every age and ability can safely begin their journey, gather with others, and experience the outdoors together.

More Than a Park—A Community Legacy
This vision has been years in the making.

Like many small businesses, we started with a dream, a passion, and limited resources. We knew this project mattered, but building something of this scale required more time, expertise, and community support.

Today, that support is growing.

Community leaders, volunteers, partners, and neighbors have stepped forward to help transform an idea into action. Their commitment reflects what this project has always been about: a community coming together to build something bigger than any one person or organization.