Public Meetings to Begin on July 21
Two public meetings and an open house mark the beginning of an eight month planning process to develop a 25 year vision for Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet, which are parks within the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park. To inform the process, neighborhood associations and elected officials from across the region have appointed residents to a Community Advisory Committee (CAC). This committee will meet seven times from mid-July through January of 2015 to assist in developing a master plan and determining priorities for long-, medium-, and short-term improvements.
Mark your calendar for these opportunities to participate:
CAC Meetings
All meetings are open to the public and will include an opportunity for public participation and comment.
Tuesdays 6:30-8:30 pm
Jones Harrison Residence, 3700 Cedar Lake Ave., Minneapolis
July 21 and 28 / Monday September 21 and Tuesday September 29 / October 27 / November 17 / January 12
Community Open Houses
An opportunity to review planning efforts to date and discuss with the design consultant, park staff, and CAC members.
Thursdays 6:30-8:30 pm
St Mary’s Lake Calhoun Event Center, 3450 Irving Ave., Minneapolis
July 30 / November 5
Bakken Museum, 3537 Zenith Ave. S, Minneapolis
October 1
The Minneapolis Chain of Lakes is the most visited regional park in the seven county metropolitan area. Estimated visits to park have increased from 2.2 million in 1995 to more than 5 million in 2013, with 45% of the visits from people living outside of Minneapolis. The natural resources, surrounding neighborhoods, and amenities of these two parks are heavily impacted by the public use and popularity of these parks areas.
Approximately $3 million from Metropolitan Council Parks and Trails funds is available for improvements at Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet parks. Many previous studies and plans, a rich history of multi-layered city development, years of community use and input, and many urban park issues have made these two parks what they are today.
The Board is interested in hearing from the public about their long term vision for these parks through this planning process and invites you to share your ideas!
The MPRB wishes to encourage participation by everyone to our programs, activities and services. If you feel you need an accommodation in order to fully participate because of a disability or language interpretation need, please call Ray Lavelle in advance of the meeting so arrangements can be made prior to the meeting at (612) 230-6472 (or the Minnesota Relay System at 711) or e-mail rlavelle@minneapolisparks.org.
Español: (612) 230-6573 | preguntas@minneapolisparks.org
Soomaali: (612) 230-6574 | suaalo@minneapolisparks.org
Contact
Questions from the public:
Deborah Bartels, Project Manager
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
612-230-6438
dbartels@minneapolisparks.org
Questions from media:
Dawn Sommers, Communications & Marketing Manager
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Office: 612-230-6407
dsommers@minneapolisparks.org