The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and community members celebrated the completion of significant improvements at Brownie Lake on Saturday, October 25, 2014.
The gorgeous weather allowed for a picturesque afternoon at the most secluded and least developed lake within the Chain of Lakes. The grand opening featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting and comments by MPRB Commissioner Anita Tabb and Chair of the appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Marty Broan, naturalist-led activities, live music by Rachael Kroog, and canoe rides from Wilderness Inquiry.
“I am so pleased that we are able to celebrate these wonderful improvements at Brownie Lake,” said Commissioner Tabb. “I want to extend a big thank you to Marty Broan, the CAC and all of the community members for their input, patience and continued support with this project. We would not be standing here today without all of your efforts!”
Park improvements include:
- The re-aligned bicycle trail along Cedar Lake Parkway features new surfacing, lights, railings and signs
- New trails and canoe launch at the north end of the park have improved access into the park and to the lake
- New pedestrian bridge installed over the channel to Cedar Lake allows walkers to make a complete circle around the lake
- The planting of 75 trees following buckthorn removal along the steep wooded slopes surrounding the lake
“It is very exciting to see that we have accomplished our goals of keeping this lake as natural as possible,” said Commissioner Tabb. “With the increased safety measures for pedestrians and cyclists, it is my hope that this peaceful park and lake can once again become a popular year-round destination for families in the surrounding neighborhoods.”
This project was funded by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment – Parks and Trails Fund ($600,000), Federal Highway and Administration TEA21 Program ($510,000) and the Metropolitan Council Regional Park Operations and Maintenance Lottery in Lieu Proceeds ($125,000).
The appointed CAC met five times between 2011 and 2012 to determine the issues, priorities and the preferred concept plan and recommendations for the improvements at the park. The committee was appointed by several MPRB Commissioners, the mayors of Minneapolis and St Louis Park, Minneapolis Councilmember Lisa Goodman, Met Council, the Cedar Lake Park Association, and several neighborhood associations.
Top priorities for the funding were the bicycle trail replacement, a pedestrian bridge over the channel to Cedar Lake, and elimination of erosion. The CAC did not want to change Brownie Lake’s natural character with packed earth trails. The Area Plan for Brownie Lake was approved by the MPRB Board of Commissioners in March 2012 and development of construction plans began.
Construction of park and trail improvements occurred primarily in the fall of 2013 at the same time the Minneapolis Public Works Department was constructing a new lift station for the sanitary sewer force main located on the east side of the lake. The MPRB’s contractor installed the pedestrian bridge over the channel to Cedar in February 2014 after the Loppet.
Contact
Questions from media:
Dawn Sommers, Communications & Marketing Manager
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Office: 612-230-6407
dsommers@minneapolisparks.org
Questions from the public:
Deborah Bartels, Project Manager
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
612-230-6438
dbartels@minneapolisparks.org