Address

3200 E Bde Maka Ska Parkway
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Plan Your Route

Bus, bike, drive, or walk

Contact

Phone: 612-230-6400
Email: info@minneapolisparks.org

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Beach Hours

6 am – 10 pm daily
Ordinance PB-3-1

Lifeguard Hours

No lifeguards are on duty

Beach Water Quality Status

Learn more about the water quality of Minneapolis beaches

Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach

Part of: Bde Maka Ska Park

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  • Beach
  • Biking Path
  • Pay Parking Lot
  • Playground/Tot Lot
  • Walking Path

Good to Know

Youth Swimming Lessons offered at various locations citywide. (Parents/guardians notified of swim lesson cancellations through email.)

Did You Know?

We have 12 beaches in the Minneapolis park system. View a list of all our beach locations.

Beach Rules

  • Do not smoke in beach areas
  • An adult must accompany children under the age of 8 at all times
  • Swim only within marked areas
  • Do not use inflatable air mattresses, inner tubes, other inflated articles, or inflatable floatation equipment except by permit. See floatation ordinance.
  • You may only use U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejackets if worn correctly
  • You may use foam noodles and nerf-type balls within buoyed swimming areas
  • Do not throw sand or rocks
  • Do not bring glass to beach areas
  • Obey lifeguards at all times
  • Infants/children not yet toilet-trained must wear swim diapers
  • Riding piggyback is permitted. No “Chicken fights” or rough play
  • Do not enter the water when the air temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit or colder
  • Lifeguards take safety breaks during the day at beaches
  • Keep dogs and other domestic animals off the beach and out of the lake
  • Do not feed waterfowl
  • Alcohol consumption is only allowed in designated areas at restaurants(link) licensed to serve alcohol or for those who’ve obtained a special use permit (link). See alcohol ordinance.
  • No threatening, abusive, indecent language, conduct or behavior allowed. See prohibited language and conduct ordinance.
  • Do not swim across any lake or park water unless accompanied by a boat. See swimming across lake ordinance.
  • Do not swim or bathe at any unauthorized beach or park water. See unauthorized beach ordinance.
  • Do not swim in lakes or gather on beaches between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am. See beach hours ordinance.

Beach Tips

Rainfall

High bacteria levels generally occur right after it rains, and return to normal levels within 48 hours.

  • Avoid swimming after it rains
  • Try not to get lake water in your mouth
  • Wash your hands before eating and after changing a diaper
  • Shower with soap and fresh water as soon as possible after swimming in a lake

Swimmer’s Itch

Swimmer’s itch is a temporary, harmless skin rash that occasionally affects lake users. Small, irritating red welts typically appear after swimming on hot, still summer days. Sensitive individuals may itch for several weeks. The rash is caused by a parasite that infects birds and snails. The parasite cannot live in humans.

  • Briskly rub skin with a coarse towel as soon as you leave the water
  • Towel dry under your swimsuit, especially around the waistband and leg openings
  • Shower with soap and fresh water as soon as possible after swimming in a lake

Naegleria fowleri

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba found in warm freshwater and soil that can causes a very rare but often fatal brain infection.

From 2005 to 2014, 31 infections resulting from swimming in contaminated water were reported in the United States. Two of those instances happened in Minnesota.

Infections occur when water with the amoeba enters the body through the nose. You cannot be infected by swallowing contaminated water and the amoeba cannot pass through the skin. To reduce your risk, the Minnesota Department of Health recommends:

  • Avoid putting your head under the water
  • Hold your nose shut or use nose clips
  • Avoid warm freshwater when the water temperature is high and the water level is low
  • Avoid digging or stirring up the sediment in shallow, warm freshwater areas

Visit the Minnesota Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites for additional information.

Pet Waste

Increased bacteria levels mainly come from waterfowl and pet waste in yards, streets and parks that wash into lakes either directly or through the storm sewers after a heavy rain.

  • Pick up after your pet
  • Dispose of pet waste properly

Beach Group Use Permit: Apply for a free permit to ensure we can accommodate your birthday party or group of 10 or more at the beach. Application

Special Event Permit: Apply for a permit to reserve the beach for baptisms and other special events. Application [PDF]

Why is There a Beach Advisory/Closure?

Bacteria Monitoring: E. coli

MPRB staff monitor bacteria levels weekly and post a closed sign at the beach and indicate the closure on the Lake Water Quality Map if:

Single-Sample Limit A single water sample exceeds an E. coli count of 1,260 organisms per 100mL of water.
Geometric Mean The geometric mean of E. coli counts from 5 samples equally spaced over a 30-day period exceed 126 organisms per 100mL of water.

If a beach is closed MPRB staff will re-sample and reopen the beach when bacteria levels are within state guidelines.

Blue-green Algae Monitoring: Cyanobacteria

MPRB staff monitor for blue-green algae weekly. An advisory is posted on the Lake Water Quality Map if Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) guidelines are exceeded or when blooms blow into the beach area. When at the beach, look for informational signs on blooms or yellow advisory signs.

Blue-green algae cyanotoxin Swimming guidelines (ug/L)
Microcystin 6

The advisory status will end when levels are within state guidelines.

A few things to remember:

  • You cannot always see or smell when water conditions are poor.
  • Swimming is not recommended after a heavy rainfall because bacteria levels in the water may be high.
  • People and pets should stay away from the water and avoid contact if a blue-green algae bloom is present (most often blue-green in color, but can also be reddish-purple, or brown), or the water is murky.

Canada Goose Management 2023 Pilot Project

Learn about the Canada Goose Management 2023 Pilot Project