Bde Maka Ska’s North Beach, Thomas Beach, 32nd Street Beach and Lake Hiawatha Beach are now closed

Almost 80 places to cool off remain open in Minneapolis

Eight  Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) beaches are open, but four will be closed through at least Monday, July 22. Yesterday’s re-sampling of  Bde Maka Ska 32nd Street Beach, Bde Maka Ska Thomas Beach, and Lake Hiawatha Beach found that E. coli bacteria still exceeded state specified guidelines. The sample at Bde Maka Ska North Beach determined that the E. Coli numbers exceeded state specified guidelines and the decision was made to close the beach.

These closures are likely due to a combination of stormwater runoff and waterfowl.

While there have been no reports of any illness from swimmers at these beaches, the MPRB routinely monitors and proactively closes its beaches if bacteria levels exceed state guidelines. All other MPRB public beaches are open, including  Lake Nokomis’ 50th Street Beach and Main Beach. In addition to beaches, the MPRB provides park visitors with almost 60 wading pools, a natural swimming pool, a waterpark and an indoor pool.

The MPRB posts all of its beach bacteria test results online at www.minneapolisparks.org. The MPRB will re-sample the beaches on Monday, July 22. When the bacteria levels are within state guidelines, the beaches will reopen.