The Lake Nokomis Concessions Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will host an open house on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Nokomis Community Center to review and discuss improvements to the concession area at Lake Nokomis. The improvements are part of the lease agreement between the new concession, Sandcastle, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board that was approved by the Park Board on Wednesday, Feb. 6. The meeting is open to the public. The Nokomis Community Center is located at 2401 E Minnehaha Parkway, Minneapolis.

The Lake Nokomis Concessions CAC was formed in February 2012 to help determine community and park user preferences for concession services at the park. After soliciting community input and conducting an open, competitive selection process, the CAC recommended Sandcastle Enterprises, a Minneapolis based company owned and operated by restaurateurs Doug Flicker and Amy Greeley to the Park Board. Doug Flicker also owns the critically acclaimed Minneapolis restaurant, Piccolo. Sandcastle will offer fresh, healthy food options to meet diverse tastes with menu items such as fish tacos, sandwich wraps, a variety of salads, and beer and wine.

The improvements to the concession area include an outdoor shelter, new deck and picnic areas, improvements to the concession building, storm water runoff mitigation and possible realignment of trails near the concession area. All are welcome to attend the open house, review the preliminary design work and express suggestions, improvements and concerns to enhance the design. The Lake Nokomis Concessions CAC will present a proposed design for the concession area based on the public comments at the March 20 Planning Committee meeting of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. For more information and updates, please visit www.minneapolisparks.org.