New playground open at Wirth Beach Board to hold second public hearing July 7 on upcoming improvements
The newly completed playground at Wirth Beach is now open. Other improvements, underway in the beach area of Theodore Wirth Park since 2009, have also been completed and are open for use. These include the new sand volley ball courts and the new terrace, shade structures, and shower tower on the beach. Additional shade structures have been installed near the new playground. The site of the old playground will eventually accommodate a picnic shelter.
While the beach and playgrounds will be open this summer, pockets of construction will be occurring in the Wirth beach area this summer and fall. The floating boardwalk that circles the swimming area is expected to be completed by the end of July. Trails and the half basketball court will be paved in July to be ready for use in August.
Enhancements of the wetland to the west of the beach area, construction of wetland boardwalks, and parking lot reconstruction are all slated to be underway yet this construction season. Details, such as timelines, will be provided once they have been determined.
Phase III Improvements – Second public hearing July 7
Phase III of the park’s revitalization updates the 1980 Wirth Park Master Plan, continuing to focus on the Wirth Lake beach and picnic area. A Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) recently completed its work to develop recommendations for Phase III improvements. This concept plan and two resolutions regarding future park development were presented to the board at a public hearing June 16. Revisions, based on comments at the public hearing in June, have been made and the revised concept plan will be presented for comment at the July 7 public hearing. The public hearing will be held at 6:30 in the board room of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board headquarters building, 2117 West River Road.
The final concept plan includes a trail loop around the lake, vegetation management along the lakeshore and Bassett’s Creek, picnic shelters and family picnic areas, as well as, ski, snowshoe, and mountain bike trails. A promenade along the east side of the lake will feature a performance area, restrooms and concessions, plus eco-friendly parking lots to accommodate visitors to the park. With a majority of the improvements concentrated around the beach area, much of the east and northwest lakeshore will be left undeveloped to support wildlife habitat and natural areas. The last revisions to the concept plan (Concept G) include the removal of two small parallel parking bays along Theodore Wirth Parkway and changes in graphics and lettering for clarity.
Final Proposed Concept G
Concept F (presented to board June 16)
Resolution 1 Tennis Training Facility
Resolution 2 Off-Leash Dog Park Resolution
Sustainability
In addition, sustainability plays a prominent role in plan development. A technical advisory committee, made up of representatives from a variety of agencies, including the U S Army Corps of Engineers, Hennepin County, the Minnesota Historical Society, the cities of Golden Valley and Minneapolis, the Metropolitan Council as well as the MPRB, is currently working to establish strategies that will firmly anchor park improvements in sustainable principles. Work with regulating agencies will continue during the design development and permitting phases.
3/19 Wirth Sustainability Presentation
Plans encompass the areas surrounding Wirth Lake and bounded by Theodore Wirth Parkway on the west, Highway 55 on the north, the railroad tracks on the east, and the picnic pavilion area on the south. (The picnic pavilion will not be included in the scope of this planning effort.)
Aerial View of the Plan Area
Funding
In its commitment to the 2007 Comprehensive Plan goal to focus on northside parks, the MPRB has continued to seek funding for Theodore Wirth Park improvements. The MPRB currently has committed $4.69 million to improvements at Wirth Park. This includes Phase II improvements, some of which under construction, and those proposed for Phase III. This funding was made possible through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment passed by Minnesota voters in 2008 and Metropolitan Council bonds. The MPRB will continue to seek additional funding for Wirth beach improvements from the Parks and Trails Fund, as well as bond funding from the Metropolitan Council this year and in 2012.
Citizen’s Advisory Committee (CAC)
CAC members were appointed by Park Board commissioners, other government agencies, and community groups. Members represent the gamut of park user groups and include three appointments by the Youth Coordinating Board.
The CAC met March 25, April 8, 15, 29, and May 6 and 18. Members of the committee also met multiple times on site. The CAC’s recommendations were presented to the Board June 16.
