Plan the future of Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles! Apply to serve on the Cedar-Isles CAC

Posted on 23 December, 2019

You have until the end of January to apply to serve on the project’s Community Advisory Committee!

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) recently launched a new project that will create a plan to guide improvements and stewardship at Cedar Lake, Lake of the Isles and surrounding parkland, parkways and trails for the next 20+ years.

The Cedar-Isles Master Plan will be guided by a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) made up of people who will participate in regularly scheduled meetings and collectively make recommendations about the plan’s content.

The total time commitment for CAC members is estimated at 35-45 hours total over the course of 18+ months. CAC applications are due Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. Follow the links below to apply.

CAC Overview

CAC Application

About the Cedar-Isles Master Plan

The Cedar Lake-Lake of the Isles Master Plan (Cedar-Isles Master Plan) will be developed over the next two years through a collaboration between the project team, advisory committees, community groups and park users.

Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles are part of Minneapolis Chain of Lakes Regional Park, the most-visited park in Minnesota with an estimated 7.3 million visitors in 2018. The MPRB is seeking people from across Minneapolis and the Twin Cities region, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods, to serve on the project Community Advisory Committee and help plan the future of this popular regional destination. Read the “Community Advisory Committee” section of the news release for more information.

The Cedar-Isles Master Plan encompasses most park features associated with the two lakes. This includes:

  • Cedar Lake Parkway, Lake of the Isles Parkway and bike/pedestrian trails next to those parkways
  • Cedar Lake East Beach, Point Beach and South Beach
  • Kenilworth Channel and the channel between Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska
  • A portion of Cedar Lake Regional Trail, but not Kenilworth Regional Trail

Project Map

Master Plans

In addition to the Cedar Lake and Lake of the Isles, Chain of Lakes Regional Park also contains Bde Maka Ska, Brownie Lake, Lake Harriet, and parkland, parkways and trails surrounding those lakes. Those areas have previously approved plans: Bde Maka Ska-Harriet Master Plan (2017) and Brownie Lake Plan (2012).

The MPRB uses master plans to guide care, programming and development at all its parks and trails. Park master plans accomplish the following:

  • Set a vision to guide long-term development and improvements to a park or group of parks
  • Guide stewardship and help ensure that park features and amenities reflect the needs of the communities they serve
  • Help ensure long-term financial and ecological sustainability
  • Involve extensive engagement with individual and group stakeholders, other community partners and governmental entities
  • Subject to review and comment by the public, as well as public hearings and approval by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board of Commissioners

Get Involved

Anyone interested in the project can get started by filling out a short, open-ended online survey asking about values, concerns and visions for the entire plan area or specific park features within the area. Additional online community surveys will be made available as the planning process progresses and specific topics emerge.

Cedar-Isles Community Survey

Please visit the Cedar-Isles Master Plan project page and sign up for email updates. Email updates are the best way to stay informed about meeting and event dates. It also may be helpful to bookmark the project page, (and share it with this easy-to-remember link: www.minneapolisparks.org/cedar-isles) which is where all information regarding the project will be posted.