Cedar Lake South Beach Improvements Update

Construction slows over winter months

Significant progress has been made at Cedar Lake South Beach since construction began in late November. Site demolition, erosion control placement, sewer and water utility installation and restroom building footings and foundations are all complete. 

Work will slow for much of winter due to frigid conditions. The regional trail, beach and Cedar Lake ice access remain closed until construction is complete, which is anticipated before 4th of July weekend.

Updated Site Plan

A new site plan is available on the project page. The new plan represents the revised scope of improvements as the design has shifted to meet the available project budget. The modified design is still consistent with the Board-approved Concept Plan for the beach.

The plan includes a three-season restroom (burnished block substituted for brick, flat roof with parapet substituted for a sloped, metal roof, decorative steel screen), drinking fountain, foot wash station, bicycle racks, new shrub and tree plantings, benches, a terraced retaining wall with stair access to beach, restored turf areas, new crosswalks across Cedar Lake Parkways and trail improvements to Cedar Lake Regional Trail.

Cedar Lake South Beach – Updated Site Plan [PDF] 

Project History and Funding

In 2015-16, community engagement began and the Cedar Isles Dean Neighborhood Association (CIDNA) allocated Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) funds to prepare plans and construction cost estimates for the project. An initial plan to upgrade the beach was approved by MPRB Commissioners on April 6, 2016.

On March 8, 2017 the MPRB accepted an anonymous donation of up to $409,000 to help fund the project, contingent upon the inclusion of a restroom with plumbing. Additional community engagement was performed in April 2017 and the amended plan to upgrade the beach, which includes the restroom building, was approved on May 17, 2017.

MPRB Commissioners accepted a construction bid on Nov. 1, 2017, construction began on Nov. 20, and the project is expected to be complete by summer 2018.

Cedar Lake South Beach is part of Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park and no regional park funding has been allocated for this project. Instead, a combination of the anonymous donation, $350,000 in park dedication fees and $75,000 in CIDNA NRP funds are paying for the project.