Beach Improvements at Lake Harriet and Lake Nokomis Beach improvements will focus on ensuring the beaches are stable from fluctuating water levels, better accommodate maintenance activities, offer standard beach amenities, and provide necessary life safety and accessibility requirements.

Milestones (anticipated project schedule by month/season)

2026

January-June:  Design Development and Construction Documentation
Spring:  Permitting
Summer:  Bidding and Award
Fall:  Construction commences

2027

Spring-Summer:  Construction completion

Funding

Funding: Met Council Regional Funds

The MPRB has a total of 12 public beaches in the Minneapolis park system.  Lake Harriet, within the Chain of Lakes Regional Park, has two public beaches (North Beach and Southeast Beach).  Lake Nokomis, within the Minnehaha District Regional Park, also has two public beaches (Main Beach and 50th Street Beach).

All of the MPRB lakes and beaches are monitored for water quality between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  Lake Harriet North Beach and Lake Nokomis 50th Street Beach are two of the six Minneapolis beaches with lifeguard services.  There are specific design and visual requirements necessary at the beaches to ensure they are safe for swimming and public access.

Due to consistent wave action and ice heaves more and more erosion at 50th Street Beach has been occurring leading to issues with how accessible and usable the beach is.  If nothing is done to stabilize the beach the ability to provide a public beach at this location will eventually be impossible.