Planning begins for improvements to Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park

Posted on 6 May, 2014

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is launching a process to complete a master plan and upgrade play areas, trails, and shorelines within Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park. An appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will help guide development of plans for the park project, with the first of several CAC meetings scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15 at the Nokomis Community Center. The public may attend CAC meetings, which feature a brief public comment period at the end of each meeting.

The CAC will work with MPRB staff and consultants from May 2014 through June 2015 to prepare a master plan and plans for improvements to the 54th Street “Triangle Park” playground, Lake Nokomis Beach playground, paved bike and walk trails, and shorelines around Lakes Nokomis and Hiawatha. Due to funding restrictions, this project will not consider Hiawatha Golf Course. Project details are available on the Nokomis-Hiawatha project page, or by contacting Project Manager Adam Arvidson at 612-230-6470 or arvidson@minneapolisparks.org.

The 20-member CAC includes appointments from MPRB Commissioners, adjacent neighborhoods, the Minneapolis mayor and city council members, the Minneapolis school district, and local citizen groups. CAC meetings will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on May 15, May 29, June 24, July 29, and August 26 at the Nokomis Community Center. In addition, three subsequent meetings will be held to assist with design of phase two improvements; dates are to be determined.

In addition to attending CAC meetings, the public may provide input and stay informed about the project in the following ways:

  • Attend Community Open Houses at 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 12 and August 14 at the Nokomis Community Center
  • Sign up to receive e-mail updates or, if you are already a subscriber, add “Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park” to your subscription preferences
  • Attend public hearings tentatively scheduled for July and October 2014. Once details are known, public hearing information will be posted online, emailed to project subscribers, and distributed to local media.

Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park includes approximately 660 acres of land surrounding Lakes Nokomis and Hiawatha. The project has two separate funding deadlines, so it must be broken into three sub-projects, two of which will happen at the same time.

  • Master Plan: A new Master Plan for the park will be developed and will set a vision and budget for Phase 1 and Phase 2 improvements to trails, roadways, shorelines, water quality, and recreation opportunities ranging from play areas to aquatics to sports. The Master Plan will be complete by June of 2015. Due to funding restrictions it will not consider Hiawatha Golf Course.
  • Phase 1 Play Areas and Trails: The 54th Street “Triangle Park” play area, which does not currently meet safety and accessibility standards, will be replaced. Accessibility improvements at the Lake Nokomis main beach play area and the beach itself will be considered. Phase 1 will also will reconstruct, relocate, or regrade portions of trail and/or shoreline, based on citizen, consultant, and staff recommendations. Phase 1 improvements will be complete by June of 2015.
  • Phase 2 Trails and Shorelines: Upon completion of the Master Plan, a second phase of trail and shoreline improvements will take place. The exact project will be determined through prioritization exercises within the Master Plan process. Phase 2 improvements will be complete by June of 2016.

Contact

Adam Arvidson, Project Manager
arvidson@minneapolisparks.org
612-230-6470