Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK master plan March 2015 MPRB would like to thank these people / organizations for their involvement in this plan: The City of Minneapolis Hennepin County Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Neighborhood Organizations including: The Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association | The Nokomis East Neighborhood Association Hale Page Diamond Lake Community Association | Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group
Members of the Community Advisory Committee: Master Plan Project Manager: Patricia Amo Amy Greeley Shannon Korrer Daren Nyquist Adam Arvidson Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Bryan Barnes Ryan Holweger Jeanne LaBore Kevin Schaekel 2117 West River Road North Minneapolis, MN 55411 Richard Chantry Mary Lynn Kadrie Erin Lauderman Robert Srichai Phone: 612-230-6470 Sandy Colvin Roy (Chair) Cammie Kimmes Chris Lautenschlager Kyle Werremeyer Email: [email protected] www.MinneapolisParks.org Bob Fine Dave Kornecki Luis Morales
Images in this document are courtesy of MPRB, Friends of Lake Nokomis, and Steffanie Musich. This plan was adopted by the MPRB on March 4th, 2015.
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. The Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association | The Nokomis East Neighborhood Association TABLE OF CONTENTS Hale Page Diamond Lake Community Association | Field Regina Northrop Neighborhood Group Section 1: Planning Framework...... 2 Section 2: Park Background...... 6 Section 3: Needs Assessment and Demand...... 12 Section 4: Park Development...... 22 Section 5: Operations & Management...... 44 Section 6: Implementation...... 48 Appendix
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Table of Contents Theodore Wirth’s 1934 Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha Park Master Plan
PAGE 1 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. SECTION 1: PLANNING FRAMEWORK Introduction and Purpose of the Master Plan Within the urban context of friendly neighborhoods, busy streets, and bright lights, Minneapolis Parks offer expansive havens of fresh water, lush green retreats, and miles of uninterrupted recreational trails. Bordering leafy parkways, these trails connect the places where people gather to picnic, sail, play, and escape in a truly integrated open space and recreation system.
Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is a key link in this system. In 1914, work began to reshape Lake Amelia into what has become present-day Lake Nokomis. Land donation, acquisition, and dredging established more than 200 acres of parkland around a 200-acre lake. To the north, Lake Hiawatha – with enough surrounding land to fit a new golf course – was acquired 7 years later, and the first plan for the combined Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha Park was created by Theodore Wirth in 1934.
The 1934 Plan has remained the guiding scheme outlining improvements for the two-lake park—until now. This document provides a much needed update to the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan. Today, the park encompasses approximately 660 acres of land and water, including Lake Nokomis, Lake Hiawatha, and part of Minnehaha Creek. Popular for its sailing, picnicking, beaches, and trails, it is one of the most visited parks in Minneapolis and in the seven-county metropolitan area.
The purpose of the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan is to provide a long-term vision for improvements to park facilities, recreation, landscape, trails, and shorelines. Hiawatha Golf Course, which is not considered for improvements or change within this document, was specifically excluded from the master planning process. The Master Plan otherwise studies the existing conditions of the park, assesses community needs in relation to park use, and proposes specific improvement projects. This is envisioned as a 25-year plan, with implementation in three broad timeframes: Short-term (up to 6 years), Medium-term (6-12 years), and Long-term (12 or more years). Study and development of a new master plan will be needed again in 25 years to reassess the conditions, vision, and necessary improvements of the regional park at that time.
A significant public process informed the development of this Master Plan. Additional details outlining this process are found in Section 3. The plans and recommendations included here underwent thorough review by public participants, an appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC), the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and, finally, were adopted by the Metropolitan Council. Approval and adoption by these entities allows access to future funding for capital improvements.
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 1: Planning Framework PAGE 2 Typo 47 Bethel Fish Lake 28 St. Francis Lake Twin Cities Metropolitan Area 24 Minard Lake 65 Martin 24 26 Lake Linwood Twp Rum River Trail 24 Island Tamarack Lake George Lake Lake Ford VIKING Martin-Island- BLVD REGIONAL River Linwood Lakes Lake
Brook George Linwood 5 Rum Lake 22 A Nowthen Deer 22 9 Lake Pickerel 47 55 Oak Grove East Lake Twin Boot Lake Devil Lake 22 Creek East Bethel Lake 17 parks 22 Little Coon Cedar Lake
22 CENTRAL AVE CENTRAL SYSTEM Coon Lake Carlos Avery WMA 8 Bone ROUND LAKE BLVD 18 18 Lake Rum River Forest 2 Central Lake Columbus 35 Lake Netta Mud 1 Lake Goose Lake 95 Rum ANOKA Ramsey Ham Lake Howard Lake Ham 97 5 Andover Lake 19 Round 97 Clear Scandia Lake Forest Lake 3 B 47 65 Lake Central Anoka 7 17 Fish 169 County Trail Lake William O’Brien R
10 k iv e 23 e State Park
r e 61 15
Mississip 9 r p C i Central Anoka River Crooked Bunker Hardwood Sand e County Trail Lake c Big Lake i Creek Trail Lake Crow Crossways R Marine 101 Lake Lake Rum River Bunker LEXINGTON AVE 144 Anoka Trail MANNING TRAIL 18 Hills 94 Diamond Randeau Horseshoe 4 Lake R Lake Lake Big Marine i v e r 242 14 Coon 4 Crowley Elm Creek 116 Rice Creek 14 Marine on St. Croix Lake Rogers Creek Oneka Mud Sylvan Mississippi Coon Rapids Chain of Lakes Peltier Lake Lake Lake Dayton Lake 121 River Trail Blaine Crow-Hassan French 169 Coon Creek George Hugo Turtle Lake 1 Trail Watch Lake Hayden EAST RIVER ROAD Lake Lochness May Twp 7 95 Hassan Twp Lake 12 Marshan Henry 81 Champlin 35W Lake Lemans 10 AVE CENTRAL Centerville Square Lake Lake Lake Lake 8 C East Anoka Rice Centerville Egg Rice Square WEST RIVER ROAD Trail Lake Lake Lake Lake FERNBROOK LANE Coon Rapids Dam Circle Pines Reshanau Hanover Lake 61 14 Golden 10 35E 610 65 Lake 19 94 23 Lino Lakes Sunset Rush Creek Cenaiko Baldwin Lake Lake Big Otter 30 Trail Lake Lexington Bald Eagle- Carnelian 118 Lake 55 Lake 30 LANE ZACHARY 610 17 River 10 1 Otter Lakes Rice Lake 30 47 7 Schwappauff Osseo M 11 Little i Lake Brooklyn Park s Shoreview 15 Carnelian s Spring Lake Pine i Spring Lake Maple Grove s Bald Crow s Park Lake Point Greenfield Corcoran 109 i Rice Creek Eagle p North Oaks Dellwood River Weaver p Rice Creek Lake 252 i 10 Lake Haften Shingle Shingle Creek Rice Creek North Trail Turtle Lake WASHINGTON Lake 50 Medicine Trail West Trail HODGSON RD Pinetree 95 St. Croix Fish 101 Lake Gillfillan Birch Lake Lake Stillwater Twp 10 Lake 81 Creek Fridley Pleasant Lake 244 Grant Trail Arden Hills Lake Trail Rockford Eagle Moore Snail Birch
Jubert R Lake Lake AVE LEXINGTON Lake Highway 96 Trail Lake
i 96 Lake Eagle 94 v 96 k 694 e Anoka County Long D
e Sucker Lake Fish r e Lake White Bear Lake Brown’s Regional Park or Reserve 55 r Lake Riverfront Vadnais 9 Gateway Boat Access C Brooklyn Long Lake Lake State Trail Creek Center Heights Goose Lake 694 Gem 100 Lake State Land Lake Sarah BLVD NORTHWEST Sullivan Lake Tony Vadnais-Snail Lake Canoe, Carry-in Access Elm New Stillwater Rebecca 92 10 Schmidt Lakes 12 11 Loretto 169 94 Brighton White Bear Lake Willernie 494 Twin North Hilltop 694 Lake Lily Federal Land Off-Leash Dog Area Lake Rebecca Bass Lake Lakes Silverwood Lake Vadnais 244 Lost Lake Long Lake 19 HENNEPIN Mississippi 65 Island Mahtomedi Lake Lake Johanna Lake 61 New Columbia Silver Long Robina Crystal 51 120 Park Entrance Three Rivers Park District Hope Heights Lake Lake Lake Pine Springs ROCKFORD RD Owasso 694 36 Spurzem UNIVERSITY AVE Columbia Lake 9 Langton Little Kohlman Lake Parkway Lake BEAM AVE Oak Park Heights Independence 9 Clifton Victory Lake Gervais Lake Regional Trail Independence Medina Robbinsdale ROAD RIVER EAST 35W Josephine Canada Plymouth French Bassett Memorial Trail St. Anthony Lake Silver Holy Roseville Lake 36 Lake 5 Name 101 Creek Trail Crystal Parkway Stinson Bennett Lake 12 55 Lake De Montreville State Trail 0 1234 Miles 24 Lake Trail St. Anthony Parkway Maplewood Baker Medicine Parkway Trail Lake Elmo Mooney Olson 14 Lake Trail 36 RAMSEY Lake 17 Baytown Twp Maple Plain Lake Sweeny- 81 Ridgeway Keller North St. Paul Lake Katrina Medicine 100 Twin Jane Parkers Trail 47 Parkway Lake Lake Lake Lakes Above the McCarrons 6 Lake Golden Valley Trail Lake Elmo Lake 6 Falls Lake 5 15 Long Lake t Creek Central Lauderdale 10 Phalen-Keller Elmo s s e t LARPENTEUR AVE Luce Line Medicine Ba Mississippi Lake Trout Brook E 6 Lake Independence Falcon 35E 120 Trail Lake 55 Riverfront Como Trail Lake Phalen Eagle Point Luce Line State Trail Trail Long Lake Gleason Lake Luce Line Heights Oakdale Lake Theodore Wirth Trail 280 49 61 DALE ST Loeb Beaver Lake 394 Bell Museum of 13 19 Orono Wirth Natural History Lake Lake 95 Noerenberg 15 Wayzata 12 394 Como Park COMO AVE Bruce Vento 5 West Lakeland Twp Watertown Cedar Lake- St. Paul 694 20 20 151 Zoo & RICE ST Trail Minnetrista Gardens Kenilworth LAKE ELMO AVE 10 North Cedar 17 94 Conservatory 10 494 Lake Trail LakeTrail 68 Tanners Oak Midtown SNELLING AVE UNIVERSITY AVE Bruce Vento Battle 94 Luce Line State Trail Long Lake M of the Lake 25 Lake Cedar inn Isles Greenway Nature Creek-Indian Landfall 15 eh Creek Lake LAKE ST 94 Lakeland Shores 24 Woodland aha 5 Science Museum and Sanctuary Dutch CEDAR AVE M 94 Whaletail Summit Ave National Park Mounds 21 Lake Lake i Lake Spring Libbs St. Louis Park s Trail Visitor Center Minneapolis s Mound i Park Minnetonka Lake s 61 Markgrafs Mud Lake s Lakeland Lake
5 WOODBURY DR Lake Lake Powderhorn L. i Battle Langdon Deephaven 55 p Wilmes Lake St. Croix Hollywood Twp p Sam Morgan 92 Minnetonka Beach Hopkins 3 Calhoun Mississippi Creek Lake Edith Swede Lake 35W i 52 Lake Nokomis- Trail Lake 494 19 10 Lake Minnetonka Minneapolis R Gorge Powers Gale Woods 7 Hiawatha i 35E 5 120 Lake St. 110 v 149 Lake LRT Trail e ROBERT ST ROBERT LEXINGTON PKWY Chain of Lakes MANNING AVE Croix Beach Watertown Twp r 51 Shady Cedar Lake Maplewood VALLEY CREEK RD y C 33 Tonka Bay FORT RD alle reek Dakota Rail Trail Oak LRT Trail Lake Pickerel Lake North Urban Pigs V
LYNDALE AVE LYNDALE 35 19 Greenwood Minnetonka Lake 169 Harriet Hidden Falls – Eye St. Bonifacius Trail Colby 7 Lake Crosby Farm Lilydale-Harriet Lake St. Mary’s Point 7 Lake Minnehaha Creek Nokomis Carver Lake 13 Island-Cherokee Minnetonka Shorewood Christmas 101 3 Lone Lake Edina Lake 15 Lake Minnehaha Afton F Lake Glen Minnehaha Diamond 5 Crosby L. River Goose Mud Lake 62 Lilydale West St. Paul Woodbury Virginia Excelsior Lake Bryant Lake Lake Mississippi Lake 7 Parkway Trail Fort Snelling Stone Gun River Trail 18 95 New Germany Mayer Parley Lake 62 State Park 21 Lake Lake Lotus Club South St. Paul Crow Minnewashta Mendota Lake 30 Lake Snelling 110 30 30 Zumbra 100 Richfield Sunfish 20 77 Lake Big Rivers Trail Lake Afton State Park Lake Lake Lake Lucy 494 Newport Fork Lunsten Stieger Eden Prairie Mendota Heights Minnewashta Round Wood MILITARY RD
Lake Waconia FRANCE AVE Lake Lake Lake Bryant Lake Minnesota Valley NWR Gun Sunfish South Lake Ann Lake Club 61 5 Visitor Center Rogers Lake Lake Schmitt 5 Lake Lake Carver Lake Victoria 494 33 4 494 5 Smith Long North Urban 10 Lake Auburn Chanhassen Mitchell Minnesota River 212 Pond 19 Camden Twp Waconia Twp 41 Lake Normandale Meadow 31 Trail 32 Waconia Wasserman Bluffs LRT Trail Lake 35E Waconia Anderson Lake 17 Bloomington 70TH ST S Lake Landscape Lake 20 Susan Lakes Nine Penn M Reitz Laketown Twp Staring Arboretum Lake Lemay 55 i Lake s St. Paul Lake Red Rock Lake Lake W s Riley 35 35 Lake 3 i 43 Lake 73 s Park s 10 Mile 1 i r Bavaria p Lake Hazeltine 1 Minnesota Valley NWR e p Pierson Bush v i Cottage Grove 25 Patterson Lake Simley i Lake Lake and Recreation Area Lake R Denmark Twp R Hydes Hyland-Bush- i Ravine x Marsh Lake Marcott v Baylor 13 Fish Lake 149 i Lake 169 C e o Chaska Anderson Lakes Lakes r r r e Eagle e C Hyland k 212 Blackhawk Eagan St. Croix . Lake 5 CARVER Grass Lake t G Rice Lake S Lake Heine Quigley Inver Grove Heights Bluffs Lake 1 OLD SHAKOPEE RD Lake Lake Cottage Grove Blue 30 284 Courthouse Lake Black 52 10 Dog Schwanz Lake Grey Cloud Lake 169 Fisher Thomas Island Twp Rice Lake Lake Lake Holland Young a River Lake innesot Lake 61 America C Rice M Hay Lake Miller a 32 Lake r Minnesota Valley Lake Norwood v Lake e 17 77 95 r State Trail Young America 16 Jensen Lake Tiger Cologne Chaska Lake 71 Barnes 212 Minnesota Valley NWR 21 Lake Lake Dean 212 41 13 13 O’Brien Lake 212 and Recreation Area Shakopee Lake River 16 Burnsville Lebanon Hills Jackson Twp Eagle Gifford Scott Creek 35E 31 Creek Lake Farquar 55 Spring Lake County Trail 35W Spring Lake 33 Credit 38 Minnesota Lake 10 Benton Twp Kegan Dahlgren Twp Louisville Twp Zoo Lake 25 40 Carver Nininger Twp Young America Twp 42 Alimagnet 42 Lake O’Dowd Lower McColl Lake Lake Rebecca Thole Lake H 53 41 169 Lake Prior 43 Lake Lake Savage 42 42 55 Isabelle 50 Prior Lake 27 23 14 5 42 Rosemount Hastings Maria Upper Murphy Ve Hamburg 21 rm M 5 Lake USFWS PriorLake Lake Keller Lake i is Murphy- ll s 15 Apple Valley 9 io is Louisville 3 n s Hanrehan ip 50 50 p i Swamp Hanrehan 46 Lake Lac 48 River Crystal Valley 54 Scott County Lake Lavon Lake Coates Trail 35 61 Hancock Twp Sand Creek Spring Lake Cleary Creek 85 Lake R i San Francisco Twp Geis v 17 Orchard e 52 Lake 13 47 r Lake 50 Empire Twp Si Vermillion Twp lver Minnesota Valley 23 21 284 Cleary Lakeville 316 State Trail and Minnesota River Spring Lake Twp 52 Recreation Area Lake DAKOTA 31 Ravenna Twp Sand Creek Twp Vermillion Marshan Twp I River SCOTT Kane 91 Jordan Jordan 10 68 40 Lake Farmington 66 Millpond Credit River Twp Vermillion 10 Fish Lake Marion Lake Sutton St. Lawrence Twp Lake Cynthia McMahon 50 169 Lake Lake 70 8 8 50 6 St. Catherine River Belle Lake Plaine 7 3 Lennon 9 23 21 Lake 29 Hampton New Trier 11 Miesville Rice 50 61 Pleasant Eureka Twp 1 3 Belle Plaine Twp Lake Cedar New Market Twp Lake Minnesota 80 Stream Lake 46 Hampton Twp 2 80 Raven Blakeley Twp Helena Twp Castle Rock Twp 47 J 5 Clarks 13 Cedar Lake Twp 52 85 Douglas Twp 169 Lake 2 Elko Trout Brook 56 New Market Chub 27 Lake 20 35 Pine Creek 91 23 7 New Prague Miesville Ravine
19 19 86 86 Randolph Twp 86 Map Advisory: Randolph This map is published for general reference purposes. Creek 88 Lake Byllesby Although reasonably detailed and believed to be accurate, 23 Lake Byllesby the regional park boundaries depicted on this map are Chub Scotia Twp intended only to reflect the general location of the park boundaries. Park users should be aware of the actual Waterford Twp Greenvale Twp K boundaries and limits of the regional parks, reserves and River trails while visiting or using those facilities. Changes to 3 47 regional park boundaries may have occurred after the publication of this map. Cannon
1 2 3 4 567 8 9 1011
Regional Parks, Park Reserves, Regional Parks, Park Reserves, Regional Parks, Park Reserves, and Special Recreation Features and Special Recreation Features and Special Recreation Features Grid Location Grid Location Grid Location Off-Leash Dog Off-Leash Biking Boat Launch Boating Power Canoeing Sailing Camping Fishing Golf Hiking Trails Horse Interp. Nature Picnicking Swimming Ice Fishing Winter Nature Skating Downhill Ski X-Ccountry Ski Snowmobiling Snowshoeing Sledding to Park Transit Off-Leash Dog Off-Leash Twin Dog Off-Leash Cities Metropolitan Area Biking Boat Launch Boating Power Canoeing Sailing Camping Fishing Golf Hiking Trails Horse Interp. Nature Picnicking Swimming Ice Fishing Interp. Nature Skating Downhill Ski X-Country Ski Snowmobiling Snowshoeing Sledding to Park Transit Biking Boat Launch Boating Power Canoeing Sailing Camping Fishing Golf Hiking Trails Horse Interp. Nature Picnicking Swimming Ice Fishing Interp. Nature Skating Downhill Ski X-Country Ski Snowmobiling Snowshoeing Sledding to Park Transit Anoka County Parks (763) 757-3920 www.anokacountyparks.com Ramsey County Parks and Recreation (651) 748-2500 www.co.ramsey.mn.us/parks Three Rivers Park District (763) 559-9000 (formerly Hennepin Parks) www.threeriversparkdistrict.org D6 Anoka County Riverfront D9 Bald Eagle-Otter Lakes (Tamarack Nature Center) D3 Lake Rebecca Regional Parks System Map C6 Bunker Hills F9 Battle Creek-Indian Mounds (Ramsey part) D6 North Mississippi (Three Rivers part) C6 Coon Rapids Dam-East D7 Long Lake E4 Noerenberg Gardens A6 Lake George E8 Phalen-Keller (Ramsey-Keller part) E7 Silverwood A8 Martin-Island-Linwood Lakes D7 Tony Schmidt Three Rivers Regional Trails C8 Rice Creek Chain of Lakes (Wargo Nature Center) D8 Vadnais-Snail Lakes Bassett Creek Trail (E6), Cedar Lake LRT Trail (F6), Dakota Rail Trail (E4-F3), Lake Independence Trail (E4), B6 Rum River Central Ramsey County Regional Trails Lake Minnetonka LRT Trail (F4-F5), Luce Line Trail (E5-E6), Medicine Lake Trail (C5 - E5), Anoka County Regional Trails Birch Lake Trail (D8), Bruce Vento Trail (E8), Highway 96 Trail (D9), Rice Creek North Trail (D7), Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Trail (F4- F5), North Cedar Lake Trail (E6-F6), Rush Creek Trail (C6), Central Anoka County Trail (B6), Coon Creek Trail (C6), East Anoka County Trail (C7), Rice Creek West Trail (D7), Trout Brook Trail (E8) Shingle Creek Trail (C6-E6) Mississippi River Trail - Anoka segment (C6), Rice Creek West Trail (D7), Rum River Trail (C6) St. Paul Parks and Recreation (651) 266-6400 www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/parks Washington County Parks (651) 430-8368 www.co.washington.mn.us City of Bloomington Parks (952) 563-8877 www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/cityhall/dept/commserv/parkrec/parkrec.htm E8 Como Park, Como Zoo and Como Conservatory C10 Big Marine G6 Hyland/Bush/Anderson Lakes F9 Battle Creek-Indian Mounds (St. Paul part) G10 Cottage Grove Ravine Carver County Parks (952) 466-5250 www.co.carver.mn.us/parks/ F7 Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm E10 Lake Elmo G1 Baylor F8 Lilydale-Harriet Island-Cherokee D10 Pine Point F4 Lake Minnewashta F7 Mississippi Gorge – (St. Paul part) G10 St. Croix Bluffs G-3 Lake Waconia E8 Phalen-Keller (St. Paul-Phalen part) C10 Square Lake Dakota County Parks (952) 891-7000 www.dakotacounty.us/parks St. Paul Park and Recreation Regional Trails Washington County Regional Trails K9 Lake Byllesby Bruce Vento Trail (E8), Mississippi River Gorge Trail-east side (F7), Samuel Morgan Trail (F8) Hardwood Creek Trail (B9) G8 Lebanon Hills Scott County (763) 559-9000 www.co.scott.mn.us Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (651) 296-6157 www.dnr.state.mn.us J10 Miesville Ravine I6 Cleary Lake (Managed by Three Rivers Park District) F10 Afton State Park H9 Spring Lake I6 Murphy-Hanrehan (Managed by Three Rivers Park District) F7 Fort Snelling State Park Dakota County Regional Trails Scott County Trails B11 William O’Brien State Park Big Rivers Trail (F8), Mississippi River Trail – Dakota County segment (F9), North Urban Trail (F8 & G8) Scott County Trail (H5, I5) I3 Minnesota Valley State Trail & Recreation Area Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (612) 230-6400 www.minneapolisparks.org Three Rivers Park District (763) 559-9000 (formerly Hennepin Parks) www.threeriversparkdistrict.org State Trails and other State facilities E7 Above the Falls E4 Baker Gateway Segment of Munger State Trail (E4), Luce Line State Trail (D10) (horses allowed on portions of both state trails), E7 Central Mississippi Riverfront F5 Bryant Lake Carlos Avery WMA (A8-B8), public boat accesses provided by both the DNR and local governments. F6 Minneapolis Chain of Lakes F3 Carver (Lowry Nature Center) G4 University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (952) 443-1400 www.arboretum.umn.edu F7 Minnehaha E5 Clifton E. French F7 Mississippi Gorge – (MPRB part) C6 Coon Rapids Dam–West (Nature Center) H7 Minnesota Zoological Gardens (952) 431-9200 www.mnzoo.com E6 North Mississippi (MPRB part) C4 Crow-Hassan F7 Nokomis-Hiawatha D5 Eagle Lake National Park Service Mississippi National River Recreation Area (MNNRA) www.nps.gov/miss (651) 293-0200-Visitor Center (NPS Trail Use Guide) E6 Theodore Wirth C5 Elm Creek (Eastman Nature Center) St. Croix National Scenic Riverway www.nps.gov/sacn (715) 483-3284 Headquarters in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin (NPS map) Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Regional Trails D5 Fish Lake United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Recreation Area Cedar Lake Trail (E6), Columbia Parkway Trail (E7), Kenilworth Trail (E6), Luce Line Trail (E6), Minnehaha Parkway Trail (F7), G5 Hyland-Bush-Anderson Lakes (Richardson Nature Ctr.) http://www.fws.gov/midwest/MinnesotaValley (952) 854-5900 (Visitor Center) Mississippi River Gorge Trail (F7), St. Anthony Parkway Trail (E7), Stinson Parkway Trail (E7), Victory Memorial Parkway Trail (E6) F3 Gale Woods Farm Midtown Greenway Trail (City of Minneapolis Trail) (F7) F3 Lake Minnetonka For information about accessibility at each facility, please contact the individual agency listed above.
PAGE 3 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Metropolitan Regional Parks System The regional parks system was established in 1974 when the Metropolitan Council (Met Required Plan Elements: Council) was put in charge of overseeing the acquisition and development of regional The Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan parks throughout the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The combined efforts of is consistent with Metropolitan Parks implementing agencies, counties, and special districts allow the parks to be maintained and Open Space plans and policies. and operated with free admission for park users. Today, there are 52 parks and park Required plan elements include: reserves in a system that sees more than 47 million annual visits. »» Boundary descriptions and The Met Council, with assistance from the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space a listing of properties to be Commission, facilitates planning and funding for the regional parks system. Policies acquired guiding this work support the regional goals for parks and open space, including protection of the region’s water quality, implementation of best management practices, »» Recreation demand forecasts and coordination with other regional functions like housing and transportation. »» Natural resources management The Met Council works with implementing agencies, such as the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, to realize improvements according to Met Council policies »» Park development concept and practices. The Met Council’s planning requirements help to ensure consistency »» Park implementation throughout the region. Plan approval by the Met Council is necessary in order to receive schedule acquisition, development, and operational funding. »» Development and management/operational cost Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board projections The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) oversees parks in the City of Minneapolis. The park system receives approximately 18 million visits each year across 197 park properties. Parks range from local neighborhood play lots to large nature areas, MPRB System-wide Plans: and include the 55-mile Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. The MPRB provides administration, planning, development, maintenance, and police protection for parks and The MPRB has system-wide plans recreational facilities in the system. Environmental, recreational and other programs and in place that will affect ongoing services are provided for park users of all ages and abilities. prioritization and detailed design, development, and maintenance at Established in 1883, The MPRB is the governing agency responsible for improving, Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park: operating, and maintaining Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park. The nine-member Board of Commissioners is an independently elected body responsible for maintaining and »» Skate Park Activity Plan developing the Minneapolis Park system to meet the needs of Minneapolis citizens. (DRAFT- not yet adopted) Every four years, commissioners are elected to this Board: one from each of the six »» South Service Area Master park districts within the city and three that serve at-large. This unique structure allows Planning (in progress) independent decision-making so the MPRB can efficiently oversee a diverse system of »» Ecological Systems Plan (in land and water. progress) »» Pavement and Signage Plans Related Planning Efforts (in progress) The Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan is not the only document influencing »» Court Sports Facility Plan (in park development, use, and quality. Other planning efforts, governing agencies, and progress) partnerships impact the park and its users. Examples of agencies whose work impacts »» Hiawatha Recreation Center this Master Plan include: Master Plan (Approved in 1990) »» Minnehaha Creek Watershed District – water quality and biodiversity »» Minnesota Department of Natural Resources – water quality and biodiversity »» City of Minneapolis – ongoing transportation and stormwater management »» Hennepin County – ongoing transportation and stormwater management »» Three Rivers Park District – Intercity Regional Trail connection
S ection 1: Planning Framework PAGE 4 Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park within the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway
PAGE 5 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. SECTION 2: PARK BACKGROUND Park Description / Existing Conditions Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is one of the most visited parks in the Minneapolis Park System. It is connected to the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes to the west and to Minnehaha Park and Falls to the east by Minnehaha Creek and the adjacent parkway and trails. Because of this connection, the park is also part of the Grand Round National Scenic Byway route.
The park has some unique offerings that make it a local gem with a regional draw. Lake Nokomis is one of only three sailing lakes in Minneapolis (Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun are the other two). One of the most popular beaches in the system can be found on its western shore, which offers amenities that include a restaurant, as well as bicycle, canoe, and kayak rentals. Hiawatha Golf Course, just west of Lake Hiawatha, provides one of the few opportunities for public golfing within the City of Minneapolis. And because of its location, the park offers some of the best views of the Minneapolis skyline found in South Minneapolis.
Recreational opportunities are plentiful within the park, which currently maintains two supervised beaches, one unsupervised beach, two community recreation centers, a beach house, restaurant, athletic fields, sailboat buoys, a boat launch, canoe and kayak rental and storage, fishing piers, tennis, pickleball, basketball, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a multi-use trail system. Larger recreational events are hosted year-round at Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park, including the summer Monarch Festival with educational activities, fun runs, and dancing, as well as the Lifetime Fitness triathlon each July and annual pond-hockey tournament every winter.
On the quieter side, Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is loved for its natural amenities. Recent park improvements have led to the creation of larger wetlands and additional wildlife habitat, which has contributed to the popularity of birding in the park. Nokomis-Hiawatha’s well-developed network of trails offers visitors prime access to the park’s lakes, creek, and wetlands, and has made passive modes of recreation like walking, running, and cycling some of the most popular ways to experience the park.
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 2: Park Background PAGE 6 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN AND PARK IMPROVEMENTS
43rd Street Bloomington Ave Cedar Ave athletic fields/ 30th Ave courts Playgrounds & q 44th Street Wading Pool 44th Street 14th Ave lake hiawatha park recreational center ericsson Longfellow Ave * northrop r hiawatha golf lake hiawatha course ´ Lake Hiawatha 46th Street Club house Picnic Grounds 46th Street 13th Ave * Fishing Dock mcrae l 5 park 17th Ave minnehaha creek lake Nokomis park community center to the mississippi! i 5 48th Street minnehaha parkway | i minnehaha * GRAND ROUNDS creek 5 Nokomis Ave | l Canoe Launch & Fishing Dock GRAND ROUNDS athletic fields Nokomis Naturescape Monarch i Festival Grounds 28th Ave
50th Street lake Nokomis beach r 50th Street Bloomington Ave (phase 1 play area improvements) Bike & Boat r G ¤ Rentals Beach House
12th Ave ´ Sandcastle Cedar Ave l * Nokomis keewaydin Boat Launch ¤ Arboretum hale ¤ 52nd Street 52nd Street lake nokomis keewaydin 14th Ave park Vita Course Keewaydin Elementary
Hale Elementary Woodlawn Blvd
54th Street Fishing Dock 54th Street 30th Ave 54th street Edgewater Blvd l “triangle park” (phase 1 play area improvements) Our Lady of Peace Art Walk wenonah 24th Ave
wy Pk 28th Ave 56th Street 56th Street s 21st Ave E. Nokomi Bossen field diamond lake CONNECTION TO Wenonah Elementary ó INTERCITY BIKE ROUTE 57th Street 57th Street
0’ 100’ 300’ 700’ 1000’
Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park Existing Conditions REGIONAL PARK MAP
PAGE 7 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Location and Context Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park comprises 660 acres of land and water located in the southeast part of Minneapolis, just north of the border with the City of Richfield. It sits roughly between Cedar Avenue on the west and 28th Avenue on the east; 43rd Street to the north and Edgewater/Woodlawn Boulevards (1 block north of 57th Street) to the south. The southwest portion of Lake Nokomis and surrounding parkland continues west of Cedar Avenue where the Cedar Avenue Bridge crosses north-south over the lake.
Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is surrounded by residential neighborhoods of mostly single-family houses. The Standish and Ericsson Neighborhoods are located to the north and northeast and are represented by the Standish-Ericsson Neighborhood Association (SENA) for community involvement and civic engagement. The Keewaydin and Wenonah neighborhoods border the park to the east and southeast. Along with the Morris and Minnehaha neighborhoods, Keewaydin and Wenonah comprise the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association (NENA) for the City of Minneapolis. To the west and southwest are the Hale and Diamond Lake Neighborhoods, part of the Hale-Page-Diamond Passive recreation at Lake Hiawatha Lake Community Association. While not technically bordering the park, the Northrop Neighborhood is located west of Cedar Avenue and northwest of the park. Community representation and involvement from each of these groups has been integral to the development of the Master Plan. More information about this can be found in Section 3.
The closest commercial-retail nodes are located at the intersections of Cedar Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway, 28th Avenue and 50th Street, and 28th Avenue and 42nd Street.
The area surrounding Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is rich with recreational amenities. These include parkland along Minnehaha Creek, and neighborhood parks like Keewaydin Field and Bossen Field Park to the east, Solomon Park (undeveloped) to the southwest, Todd and Pearl Parks to the west, and the adjacent Lake Hiawatha Park (see Appendix for the plan). The park is less than one mile away from Minnehaha Park, a popular destination, and also part of the Metropolitan Regional Parks and Open Space System. Historic Background In the late 1800s, growing interest in the concept of a larger “lake parkway system” Families enjoy the trails for exercise prompted expansion of Minneapolis parks to include two lakes and surrounding land in southeast Minneapolis. At the time, Lake Amelia was a shallow expanse of wetland, and Rice Lake, to the north, was considered a swamp. Despite their less than desirable characteristics, increasing demand for parks and for a connection to Minnehaha Falls motivated efforts to establish a new park in this area. Beginning in 1900, the Minneapolis Park Board moved to acquire property around Lake Amelia, and in 1908 secured 409 acres, including nearly 300 acres of water. At this time, suggestions were made to purchase Rice Lake as well, but this was put off in order to focus on improvements to Lake Amelia.
In 1910, Lake Amelia’s name was officially changed to Lake Nokomis, in honor of the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem “Song of Hiawatha” that made Minnehaha Falls famous (Nokomis was Hiawatha’s grandmother, and the word means “my grandmother” in Ojibwe). That same year, park superintendent Theodore Wirth presented his plan for improving Lake Nokomis. One of the most ambitious land-altering schemes in the history of Minneapolis parks, Wirth’s plan involved a large amount of dredging and grading to reshape the lake and surrounding parkland. His dramatic design reduced open water from 300 acres to 200 acres and increased the lake’s average depth. Lake Nokomis is one of three sailing lakes in Minneapolis
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 2: Park Background PAGE 8 Work began in 1914 to dredge Lake Nokomis and build up the surrounding land. Dredges worked for four years to realize Wirth’s vision, moving a total of 2.5 million cubic yards of earth. The fill was allowed to settle for five years before further grading and planting completed the park’s transformation. A new bath house was built at the beach on the west shore. Upon its opening in 1920, Lake Nokomis immediately surpassed Lake Calhoun as the most popular beach destination in Minneapolis.
At this time, a newly introduced form of recreation began to change perceptions of how land around Rice Lake could be used. In 1916, the park board opened its first golf course at Glenwood (now Wirth) Park. It was an instant success. The course was expanded in the following years, and the Park Board began to seek locations for additional golf courses. In the 1920 annual report, Wirth suggested that a new course be laid out between Rice Lake and Cedar Avenue – an idea that was supported by the board. In 1922, the Park Board decided to acquire Minnehaha Creek’s entire corridor from Rice Lake to Minnehaha Falls - including the lake and the land west of it- making Wirth’s golf course concept a reality. At the same time, the city council was pushing for transformation Water toboggon at Lake Nokomis of the ‘swamp’ so that people would build houses in this part of town. Wirth submitted his first plan for Lake Hiawatha and the surrounding park in 1924, which showed the basic layout of the golf course and a playground southeast of the lake. The lake was officially renamed the following year for the hero in Longfellow’s poem. By this time, the majority of Lake Nokomis’ original park plan had been completed, including walkways, baseball diamonds, football fields, and a water-toboggan slide at the beach. A picnic shelter was added on the north shore, and a refectory was built to the west.
In 1929, improvement efforts could again focus on Lake Hiawatha. Dredging of the lake and construction of the golf course began. Material dredged from the lake was used to construct the terrain needed to provide interest to the golf course, which was completed in 1931. A beach and shelter were opened on the eastern shoreline in 1932. The golf clubhouse was completed in 1932, and the course was fully operational by 1934.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, very few construction and maintenance projects were completed in the parks, except those done under federal programs like the Works Lake Nokomis Beach post card Progress Administration (WPA). Significant portions of the shoreline around Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha were reinforced with concrete and stone walls installed by the WPA, much of which remains. The program also created new walkways, picnic areas, tennis courts, and playgrounds during this time.
It wasn’t until the early 1960s that attention to park improvements reignited. Eroded areas of Lake Nokomis were reinforced, the beach was rebuilt, and the original bath house was replaced in 1967. The Nokomis Community Center was built in 1977 as part of a system-wide effort to establish recreation and community centers in Minneapolis community parks. Lake Nokomis became the first city lake park with a community center. At Lake Hiawatha, a second ball field was added north of the lake, and the recreation center was renovated.
An effort in the early 1970s brought attention to the entirety of the Grand Rounds system, including the portion of the Grand Rounds moving through Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park. Landscape architects, Eckbo, Dean, Austin & Williams (EDAW) were tasked with analyzing the parkway system to identify ways to improve capacity and safety. The effort resulted in the narrowing of many parkways and added parking bays along the roads, colored paving (red asphalt) to distinguish the parkways from city WPA picnic tables and benches remain streets, new park fixtures and lighting, and new signage. At this same time, the Park
PAGE 9 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Board began constructing a separated dual trail system throughout the parks, which worked to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Reaching Nokomis- Most recently, the park has seen a handful of new additions. A golf learning center was Hiawatha Regional Park added to Hiawatha Golf Course in 1999, and an accessible playground and splash pad Using Public Transit: were built at Lake Hiawatha in the 2000s. Improvements around Lake Nokomis focused on water-quality and habitat, including a series of new wetlands that treat stormwater Light Rail Transit (LRT) runs along runoff (1996) and the creation of the Nokomis Naturescape Garden (1999). A key Hiawatha Avenue, approximately a component of the Naturescape was the transformation of the hillside north of Lake half-mile east of Lake Hiawatha. The Nokomis from a monoculture of turf grass into an oak savannah featuring native grasses LRT Blue Line connects downtown and forbs. Gardens located adjacent to the trails also feature native plants and are meant Minneapolis to the Mall of America. to show people how native species could be used in home landscaping and gardening. The closest LRT transit stations to the These gardens specifically highlight plants that are beneficial to monarch butterflies. park are at 46th Street S and 50th Street S. Both stations are near trails In 2013, the historic refectory at the main beach underwent a major facelift to transform along Minnehaha Creek and therefore it into a restaurant, complete with a lakeside terrace. provide nearly uninterrupted off-road bicycle and pedestrian access to the park. Bus connections can be made Reaching the Park: Transportation, Park from 38th Street and 46th Street Access, Parkways, and Transit Stations to locations closer to the Roads park and its amenities. At the time of print, several city bus The park is primarily accessed from the north and south by Cedar Avenue (which bisects routes provide nearby transit access Lake Nokomis) and from the east and west by Minnehaha Parkway (which bisects the to Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park: park between the two lakes). Other north-south arterial roads providing access to the park include 28th Avenue S on the east and Bloomington Avenue S on the west. Local »» Bus Route 22 travels north- neighborhood streets provide east-west connections into the park. These primary routes south on 28th Avenue S and include 50th Street S, 54th Street S on both the east and west sides of the park, and accesses the Blue Line LRT at Derby Ave on the east. the 38th Street Transit Station Lake Nokomis is also fully circled by Nokomis Parkway, which intersects many of the »» Bus Route 46 runs east-west th neighborhood cross streets. Nearly all of the on-street parking available for park-users along 46 Street (west of the nd is located along Nokomis Parkway. A secondary “ring road” exists on the border of the park) and 42 Street (north of park, and includes Woodlawn Boulevard and Edgewater Boulevard. These boulevards the park) line the edge of the parkland around Lake Nokomis on the east, south, and southwest »» Bus Route 14 runs north- sides. Parkways are under MPRB jurisdiction and located fully within park-owned south on Bloomington Avenue land. Ongoing maintenance of these parkways is a joint effort by the MPRB and City of (west of Cedar), with some Minneapolis. routes running on Cedar Avenue to 42nd Street and Off-street parking is accommodated by several parking lots: one near the Nokomis Main then to the 38th Street Blue Beach, one off Minnehaha Parkway near the Minnehaha Creek canoe launch, three near Line station the Nokomis Community Center, and one at the Hiawatha Golf Clubhouse. There is currently no off-street parking located near the Lake Hiawatha Recreation Center. »» Bus Route 133 provides limited stop service on Trails Bloomington Avenue Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is connected by bicycle and pedestrian trails to the Grand Rounds regional trail system, which runs through the park along Minnehaha Creek. City sidewalks, located along nearly all Minneapolis neighborhood streets, also connect to the park’s trail system. On-street bicycle lanes on 54th Street S connect to park trails on the west side of Lake Nokomis. Bike boulevards along 17th Avenue S and 12th Avenue S provide north-south connections to the Grand Rounds where cyclists can enter Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park. Quiet neighborhood streets with less vehicle traffic also provide bike access to the park and are considered bike routes by the City of Minneapolis.
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 2: Park Background PAGE 10 Conflicts Affecting Park Development Cedar Avenue / Minnehaha Parkway Of particular concern is the safety and ease of crossing Cedar Avenue on foot or by bicycle. Cedar Avenue intersects with the MPRB parkway and trail system three times: at Minnehaha Parkway, at Nokomis Parkway near 52nd Street, and at Nokomis Parkway near Edgewater Boulevard. In all cases, improvements to the trail user experience will need to be coordinated with the City and County. The Cedar/Nokomis Parkway/ Edgewater area has been studied over the years by the City and County. However, MPRB has not historically been interested in participating in any solution that would place roadway uses on parkland, and this has limited other agencies’ exploration of all possible solutions.
Solving the traffic issues around Cedar/Nokomis Parkway/Edgewater will be necessary to improve the park user experience in this vicinity, especially upon implementation of Three Rivers Park District’s Intercity Regional Trail, which will run southward from this intersection. MPRB recognizes that any solution must be a multi-agency effort led by the Pedestrians crossing Lake Nokomis on the City and/or County. Cedar Avenue bridge Minnehaha Parkway is a major road running east-west through the park. It is owned by the MPRB, however, the roadway and adjacent parkway land is outside the boundaries of Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park. It is part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway and includes adjacent bicycle and pedestrian trails that link into the park’s trail systems. The parkway can act as a barrier splitting Lake Nokomis from Lake Hiawatha. Parkway trail crossings require enhancement to strengthen the connections between the two sides of the park. For this reason, the master plan addresses changes to Minnehaha Parkway where they support master plan features. Ongoing management and maintenance of the parkway is typically a joint effort between the MPRB and City of Minneapolis. Changes to traffic management or markings of crossings will need additional approvals from the City.
Cedar Avenue runs north-south along the western edge of Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park and bridges over the southwest portion of Lake Nokomis. The major arterial roadway presents a significant barrier to bicycle and pedestrian crossings, introduces high-speed vehicle traffic to the area, and presents challenges to water quality through stormwater runoff. Management and maintenance of the road is under joint jurisdiction with the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County. Any changes or improvements that A flooded Minnehaha Creek impact the roadway require coordination with these two implementing agencies. Water Related Issues Beyond the Park Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is significantly influenced by water-related issues outside of its boundaries. In particular, these issues are related to upstream activities along Minnehaha Creek. Water quality in the creek is directly impacted by stormwater management within the watershed. Initiatives to improve water quality outside of the park will be coordinated and implemented by its governing body, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), as well as the City of Minneapolis.
PAGE 11 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. SECTION 3: NEEDS ASSESSMENT & DEMAND
Long-term visioning for the park was identified through a needs assessment process involving public participation through community engagement strategies, including open houses and an online questionnaire, and meetings with technical staff and partnering agencies. The assessment informed the concept development and resulted in recommendations for this Master Plan. Trends Demographic The seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area is currently experiencing flat to modest population growth. Overall, the population is aging, as baby-boomers reach senior citizen status (over 65 years). The metro area is also showing an increase in ethnic and racial diversity.
The last major census (2000-2010) indicates that the neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the park are experiencing modest population declines and a decrease in the 65+ age group. The area continues to attract young families with children and is also increasing in ethnic and racial diversity. Recreation Consciousness about health and fitness is an increasing trend, as society becomes more focused on being active. However, time constraints impede the ability to dedicate time for separate exercise, and many are turning to active transportation modes, such as biking and walking to stay fit. This has influenced the trend toward more individual and informal recreation activities such as walking, cycling, running, and yoga.
Conventional, organized group and team sports such as baseball are currently seeing flat to modest growth, while non-traditional recreation such as skateboarding, rock climbing, rugby, lacrosse, ultimate, disc golf, and pickleball are rising in popularity. Though there is desire for more durable, high-quality outdoor recreational facilities, fields, and courts, these increasingly need to accommodate multi-purpose uses.
Section 3: Needs Assessment & Demand PAGE 12 There is growing demand for more social gathering places and event spaces, as well as rising interest in nature and wildlife-oriented activities, such as birding, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Visitor Demand According to the Metropolitan Council’s 2013 Visitation Estimates, Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park receives 1.5 million visits annually. Modest growth in visitation is expected over the life of this Master Plan due to the influx of young families in neighborhoods surrounding the park, implementation of improvement projects to park amenities, and the addition of several new park facilities.
According to the most recent Met Council use data, visitation to all regional parks has grown. MPRB regional parks have continued to draw a significant percentage of visits. In 2013, 33.8% of visits to Metropolitan Regional Parks were within the MPRB system. Cross-country skiing is a popular winter The percentage is holding steady as visitation numbers continue to rise. activity Overall MPRB System Visits:
Visits per year (in 1,000s) 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Mpls Park & Rec. Board 13,404 15,442 14,113 14,768 15,098 15,224 15,977 Regional Parks Percentage of total visitation 40.6 % 40.1 % 37.1 % 36.1 % 34.3 % 33.2% 33.8% to all regional parks
Metropolitan Council 2013 Regional Parks Use Estimate
“Desire line” of runners along Cedar Ave Comparison of 2012 and 2013 Regional Park Visitation:
2012 2013 # Change Agency (1,000s) (1,000s) (1,000s) % Change
Minneapolis 15,224 15,977 752.7 4.9%
Metropolitan Council 2013 Regional Parks Use Estimate
Use of urban recreational trails both within, and linking to Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is projected to increase; a trend consistent with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources report, Ten Year Forecasts—Of Minnesota Adult Outdoor Recreation Activities 2004-2014, which states that trail activities such as walking, hiking, and bicycling will remain steady or increase over this time period.
Sand volleyball is proposed as an added new amenity at Lake Nokomis
PAGE 13 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Planning Process Community Engagement The planning process employed multi-faceted community engagement methods to gather input from a variety of groups. A Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) was established at the beginning of the process. Elected officials and Nokomis-Hiawatha area neighborhood organizations were asked to appoint members to the committee. A total of 19 people comprised the group, which met seven times over 4 ½ months to discuss planning concepts, explore alternatives, and provide Master Plan recommendations to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.
Members of the public were invited to attend and participate in CAC meetings which included in their agendas a designated time for public comment. Public attendance at CAC meetings was typically around 20 people. Two community open houses hosted at the Nokomis Community Center also provided opportunities for public input. These open houses introduced the process of master planning and allowed community members The Charge of the to suggest, react to, and comment on proposed improvements for the park. Around 60 Nokomis-Hiawatha people were in attendance at each of the open houses. Regional Park CAC: Early in the process, an online questionnaire was made available to assess the needs of »» Become knowledgeable about community participants. More than 900 people responded, and the results shaped the the project and its scope concept alternatives developed for review, along with the subsequent recommendations »» Understand and represent the for the master plan. park and recreation needs Ongoing project information and updates about the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park of the community and park Master Plan were made available on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website. visitors Gov-delivery and social media also played important roles in keeping the community »» Act as community liaisons for abreast of the process and opportunities for input. In particular, the four neighborhood the project organizations near the lake, the non-profit Friends of Lake Nokomis, and the District 5 »» Participate in public CAC MPRB Commissioner utilized social media and in-park face-to-face discussions to spread meetings the word about the plan. »» Advise MPRB staff and In addition to public and community input, the plan has benefitted from the efforts of consultants throughout the key staff at the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board who work directly on activities, planning process programming, events, safety, and operations and maintenance of the park on a regular »» Recommend to the Board of basis. Their input was largely gained through project advisory committee (PAC) meetings Commissioners a preferred and one-on-one meetings with park planning staff. plan, budget, and, if Several technically-oriented meetings were also held to focus planning around warranted, phasing strategy specific issues, such as water quality, transportation, and recreation. Staff from other implementing agencies participated in these meetings and offered continued coordination throughout the planning process, including the City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. The City of Minneapolis Public Works and Engineering also attended the second Community Open House that addressed proposals for transportation and roadway changes in and near the park. Formal Public and Governmental Review The master plan goes through a review and approvals process, a formal public process, and governmental board action. Initial Master Plan recommendations were developed and reviewed through regular meetings of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). This 19-member committee evaluated the needs assessment and concept alternatives presented by MPRB staff and project consultants. The set of recommendations included here is the result of decisions made with the CAC. Comments from a community open house
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 3: Needs Assessment & Demand PAGE 14 Before adoption, Master Plans go through a formal approval process with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). This process is initiated by a 45-day public comment period that begins when the document is made available for community members to review. During this time, a formal review is requested from other implementing agencies as well. Input received about the document is considered for revision at the end of the comment period. The final document is then presented to the MPRB in a public hearing where community members are welcome to bring forward ideas, comments, and concerns about the Master Plan. MPRB members vote to approve the document, or require further revision.
Once the MPRB adopts the Plan, the document becomes the acting plan for guiding improvements for the park. To qualify for regional parks funding, the master plan must also be approved by the Metropolitan Council. After receiving Met Council approval, it serves as a plan for regional park improvements and development, and opens the opportunity for related funding.
Participants at the first community open Needs Assessment Summary house Understanding the needs of park users and neighborhood residents is an essential part of the early master planning process. The needs assessment for Nokomis-Hiawatha was initiated through the CAC, where small groups of CAC and community members worked together to identify issues, conflicts, and current successes within the park. An online questionnaire polling respondents about recreation, trail use, and water quality followed this. Further input from the Project Advisory Committee, community meetings, technical staff, and in-depth site study supplemented the needs assessment. The maps on the following pages were used early in the process to reflect the ideas and input received. Natural Resources The addition of stormwater treatment features, like the constructed wetlands on the south side of Lake Nokomis, have resulted in a noticeable improvement in water clarity in recent years. While this serves as a recognizable success of natural resource efforts in the park, water quality remains one of the highest concerns among park users. Stormwater runoff water qualitywaterfrom Cedar Avenuequality & andnatural surrounding neighborhood& natural resources streets is a contributing resources factor to this A consistently wet area of the park is broader problem. considered for transitionSelect to a permanent Questionnaire Select SummaryQuestionnaire Summary stormwater treatment feature To address this, the community identified needs that include additional permanent Q10 In which lakes has poorQ10 water In which quality lakes affected has poor your water participation quality affected in your participation in the followingstormwater activities... treatment (check areas all thatand apply)wetlands, and replacing turf with native plantings and the following activities... (checkwildlife all that habitat. apply) 7.83% 7.83% 13.31% 13.31% boating boating water quality & natural83.56% resources Select Questionnaire83.56% Summary
Q10 In which lakes has poor water quality32.39% affected your participation in 32.39%the following activities... (check all that apply) walking/running 30.77% walking/running 30.77% 7.83% Swimming in Lakes Hiawatha and 13.31% Swimming in Lakes Hiawatha and boating 48.18% 48.18% 83.56% Nokomis are the activities mostNokomis are the activities most
32.39% affected by poor water quality. 51.53% affected by poor water quality. walking/running51.53% 30.77% Swimming in Lakes Hiawatha and swimming 48.18% 65.43% Nokomislake are thenokomis activities most swimming 65.43% lake nokomis affected by poor water quality. 18.58% 51.53% lake hiawatha 18.58% swimming lake hiawatha65.43% lake nokomis 18.58% lake hiawatha Don’t participate in Don’t participate in Don’t participate in this activity 16.73% this activity this activity 16.73% 16.73% 18.75%18.75% 18.75% fishing fishing 75.81% fishing 75.81% 75.81%
Flooding of trails is a common problem nokomis-hiawatha REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN regional park
PAGE 15 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. nokomis-hiawatha nokomis-hiawatha REGIONAL PARKREGIONAL MASTER PLANPARK MASTER PLAN regional park regional park Natural Resources & Water Quality Input Summary
Path Regional Trail 30th Ave LEGEND 43rd Street Traffic Issues Not Enough Parking Facility Seasonally Wet Area Lake Hiawatha Park Study Area Erosion Recreational Center * (Regional Park Boundary) 44th Street 44th Street Phase 1 Study Area Vita Course Locations Prioritize wildlife * Golf Course Restrooms
Restroom Longfellow Ave Works well Improvements Needed r Hiawatha lake hiawatha Areas of improvement Golf Course New ideas/suggestions ´ (Excluded from study) Water 46th Street 46th Street 13th Ave quality mcrae Cedar Avenue
parkGENERAL COMMENTS 17th Ave Divert or redirect Creek Geese, moles, gophers, minnehaha creek squirrels i Promote48th area Street water i Lake Nokomis Park minnehaha parkway * Community Center quality * Nokomis Ave Convert wet14th Ave areas tominnehaha creek wetlands or no mow i
50th Street r Monarch Nokomis Festival Grounds Naturescape
Lake Nokomis 28th Ave Beach * r Bloomington Ave 14th Ave
12th Ave ´ Water clarity/
quality Oak Point 52nd Street 52nd Street Arboretum improvementslake nokomis keewaydin park Stormwater runoff &
erosion from Cedar Woodlawn Blvd
54th Street 54th Street 30th Ave Edgewater Blvd Geese, moles, gophers,
squirrels Art Walk 24th Ave Permanent stormwater treatment/wetland Naturalized areas wy k 28th Ave 56th Street 56th Street s P E. Nokomi 21st Ave Bossen field 0’ 100’ 300’ 700’ 1000’
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 3: Needs Assessment & Demand PAGE 16 Circulation & Connectivity Quality Input Summary
Path Regional Trail 30th Ave LEGEND 43rd Street Traffic Issues Not Enough Parking Facility Seasonally Wet Area Lake Hiawatha Park Study Area Erosion New trail Recreational Center * (Regional Park Boundary) 44th Street 44th Street Vita Course Locations / No trail Phase 1 Study Area *Two way bike Golf Course Restrooms
Restroom Longfellow Ave connection Works well Improvements Needed r Hiawatha lake hiawatha Areas of improvement Golf Course New ideas/suggestions ´ (Excluded from study) 46th Street 46th Street 13th Ave Bike speed over mcrae Cedar Avenue
parkGENERAL COMMENTS 17th Ave bridge One sided street parking minnehaha creek Calm traffic on cedar Dangerous crossing/ i Wider, resurfaced48th Street paths i Lake Nokomis Park minnehaha parkway walk signal timing * Community Center * Nokomis Ave 14th Ave minnehaha creek
i
50th Street r Monarch Nokomis Festival Grounds Naturescape
Lake Nokomis 28th Ave Relocate bike route Beach * r Bloomington Ave 14th Ave
12th Ave ´ Dangerous crossing/
Oak Point 52nd Street 52nd Street walk signal timing Arboretum lake nokomis keewaydin park
Paths unsafe at Woodlawn Blvd
54thnight Street /Formalize them 54th Street 30th Ave
Edgewater Blvd
Art Walk 24th Ave Traffic circle/ wy k 28th Ave 56th Street 56th Street s P E. NoDangerouskomi crossing/ 21st Ave walk signal timing Bossen field 0’ 100’ 300’ 700’ 1000’
PAGE 17 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Circulation & Connectivity The topic of circulation and connectivity within the park raised more issues and concerns than positive commentary. Locations where multi-modal traffic causes conflicts were the primary concern. Bicycle and pedestrian crossings of Cedar Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway were identified as the most dangerous and one of the biggest issues to address with circulation planning. In the case of the Cedar Avenue crossings, especially the southernmost Cedar/Nokomis Parkway/Edgewater intersections, residents cited traffic speed and frequency as a prime driver of feelings of insecurity and inconvenience. In order to improve the park user experience in this area, it will be necessary to address some transportation concerns. Such a project must be led by the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, but must also involve the MPRB. The community has expressed the need and desire to have MPRB involvement in a comprehensive traffic solution, so that the city and county can consider all possible options.
Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park’s trail network is certainly one of the highest-valued New crossings will consider marking of amenities in the park. Despite the need for surfacing improvements and redesign of dual trail systems conflict areas, many favorable comments were made about the park’s trails throughout the needs assessment process.
circulation & connectivity Select Questionnaire Summary
Q5 How would you rate these aspects of the trails in Q8 If you use the trails to cross Cedar Avenue, how Nokomis-Hiawatha on a scale of 0-5? difficult do you find it as a... (0 = needs imparovemnt / 5 = very satisfied) 45.15% 43.21%
surface 1.61
25.18% On a scale of 0-5, no 21.53% width 1.72 aspect of trails in the 14.63% 15.46% 14.88% park was given more 9.42% connectivity 1.81 than 1.81, with an 5.63% 4.91% average of 1.7. safety 1.72 pedestrian cyclist always difficult difficult at times rarely difficult never difficult i don’t use this signage Separate bike and pedestrian trails are 1.68 Over half of survey takers report crossing cedar avenue as difficult at times, or always difficult appreciated by users for the safety and as pedestrians or bikers. enjoyment of the trail system
nokomis-hiawatha REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN regional park
Locations of needed trails are often apparent where park users travel through grass
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 3: Needs Assessment & Demand PAGE 18 Recreation Overall, recreation in the park is seen as a success; however, the need for bathroom facilities and drinking water to better support recreational uses was identified as one of the greatest desires during the needs assessment process. Other suggestions included adding more pickleball courts, canoe launches, sand volleyball, a skate park, and cross- country ski trail access.
recreation Select Questionnaire Summary
Q2 In what activities have you participated in the last year and how satisfied were you?
48.49% 50.58%
36.99% 35.96% 35.91% 36.86% 30.01% 27.12% 26.63% 27.53% 24.9% Walking/running, biking, 20.23% 21.55% 21.14% Very Satisfied Pickleball gives tennis courts another use 17.16% Satisfied beach use, and picnicking needs improvement 10.71% 8.36% 9.13% are used by more than 3/4 and is rising in popularity 4.65% 6.10% didn’t participate of all respondants. Walking / Running Biking Beach Recreation Picnicking Playgrounds
Q2 In what OTHER activities have you participated in the last year? There is a high amount of interest in improving opportunities for skateboarding, pickleball, and birding.
nokomis-hiawatha REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN regional park
Park users identifed the need for more portable restrooms throughout the park
Users desire a safe and enjoyable environment for running and walking
PAGE 19 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Recreation Input Summary
Path Regional Trail Ski access30th Ave LEGEND 43rd Street Traffic Issues Not Enough Parking Facility Seasonally Wet Area Lake Hiawatha Park Pool & play area Study Area Erosion Recreational Center * (Regional Park Boundary) 44th Street 44th Street Phase 1 Study Area Vita Course Locations *Sand volleyball Golf Course Restrooms
Restroom Longfellow Ave Works well Improvements Needed r Hiawatha lake hiawatha Areas of improvement Golf Course New ideas/suggestions ´ (Excluded from study) 46th Street X-country 46th Street 13th Ave mcrae skiing GENERAL COMMENTS Cedar Avenue parkBirding and nature observation17th Ave Walk/ bike/run trails 48th Street Lack of bathrooms i i Lake Nokomis Park minnehaha parkway Dogs: off-leash & Beach Area * Community Center Canoe launch *Pickleball: indoor & Nokomis Ave Expand Skiing14th Ave Skate park outdoor Location of parking Disc Golf i Add Restroom 50th Street /recreation r Monarch Nokomis Festival Grounds Naturescape ADA play equipment Lake Nokomis 28th Ave Beach Sandcastle* restaurantr Bloomington Ave 14th Ave 12th Ave ´ Sign arboretum
Oak Point 52nd Street 52nd Street Arboretum lake nokomis Improve art keewaydin park Update playground / Shade and trees UpdateWoodlawn Blvd vita course 54th Street 54th Street 30th Ave
Edgewater Blvd
Art Walk 24th Ave
wy k 28th Ave 56th Street 56th Street s P Lack of bathrooms E. Nokomi 21st Ave Add Restroom Bossen field 0’ 100’ 300’ 700’ 1000’
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 3: Needs Assessment & Demand PAGE 20 View across Lake Hiawatha of the Minneapolis skyline
PAGE 21 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. NOKOMIS- HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK VISION:
SECTION 4: PARK DEVELOPMENT Natural Resources Park Vision Improve the natural setting The fundamental philosophy of this Master Plan is to maintain Nokomis-Hiawatha’s status as a premier regional park by enhancing and quality of the park. the existing well-loved amenities and adding select new features. The Park will continue to offer a range of recreation activities located Unfold to see the primarily within three identified focus areas, rather than scattering active uses throughout the park. The remaining parkland will be Nokomis-Hiawatha used for more natural amenities, passive recreation, and trail use. Several actions are needed in order to achieve this vision, including Regional Park redevelopment of existing buildings, improvements to trails and shorelines, restoration and addition of habitat, and new construction of Master Plan identified amenities. Circulation & The Master Plan organizes goals and recommendations for project development into three categories: Connectivity 1. Natural Resources Offer premier trail experiences This category addresses the function and quality of water bodies (lakes, creek, wetlands) and both managed and naturalized uplands to provide an integrated system for supporting wildlife habitat, landscape, and horticultural amenities in the park. that knit the park together.
2. Circulation and Connectivity This category addresses the movement of bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles through and within the park, including how these systems connect to the broader community. Recreation
3. Recreation Continue to ensure quality recreation for everyone by This category addresses both active and passive recreation within the park, including identified “activity centers” where most recreation facilities are located. (Note: trail-based uses are included in Circulation and Connectivity.) enhancing existing amenities and adding key new facilities. A vision for each category of the plan was established with input from park users, community members, and staff. The resulting goals support implementation of the overarching vision. These visions and goals guided preparation and evaluation of concept alternatives for key areas during the park master planning process. They will continue to guide the park’s role, character, and function as the Master Plan is executed over time.
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. C hapter 4: Park Development PAGE 22 28th Street G G G I I A A 50th H 49th A Event Space Basketball A Trails under Trails 28th Ave E 51st Street 52nd Street 53rd Street 53rd A E Sunset Existing Hiawatha Recreation PlanMaster Area (largely implemented) A Pavilion Center A Hiawatha F Recreation G Play Area Restored HabitatRestored Regional Boundary Park Building Bike Path Multi-use Path Path Pedestrian Shoreline/ Naturalized Meadow Wet Feature Stormwater meadow) prairie, (savanna, Boardwalk Bridge D H A lake Landscape Key New Pedestrian New D Nokomis center H Hiawatha Arboretum Naturescape
Neighborhood
nokomis community Winter Trail Access Trail Winter Gathering SpaceGathering Blvd Woodlawn 500’ F A Skate Park Winter Trail Access Trail Winter and Boat Storage and Boat G Canoe/Kayak Canoe/Kayak Launch A Enhanced Plaza 0’ Tennis/Pickleball Courts Tennis/Pickleball Amphitheatre Expanded Recreation Center Expanded Recreation Bike/ Canoe/ Bike/ Rental Kayak 56th Street A Renovated Beachhouse Renovated Snowshoe Trail Snowshoe Restaurant F C nokomis main beach F Winter-only Walk/ Sand Volleyball B 21st Ave lake Trail ConnectionTrail Golf Course Around D A
(excluded from study) from (excluded Nokomis Boat Launch Boat A A H D Hiawatha Golf Course H A Winter Access Trail 43rd Street 43rd A D A Park Park Pedestrian path Pedestrian under bridge Sailboat Marina Maintenance H 44th St Athletic FieldAthletic Reconstruction A (field layout to (field layout be determined) Athletic FieldAthletic (field layout to be determined) (field layout Realigned Minnehaha Creek Realigned Reconstruction A Existing F Wetland G G G G
Cedar Ave F Existing Wetland Proposed Stormwater Features
50th Street 52nd Street
Parkway Existing
Wetland Lake Nokomis Pkwy Nokomis Lake Minnehaha Minnehaha G A
Bloomington Ave H Picnic Area Beach access ADA water Parking Play Lawn Fishing Pier Enhanced Crossings & Drinking Fountains Restrooms Access Sidewalk Improved I F E C A G B D H 54th Street PAGE 23 C hapter or Section Title PAGE of continued Area 23 with City coordination ongoing for and County study of transportation and safety solutions Play Area Play 54th Street nokomis-hiawatha regional park master plan Features Key NATURAL RESOURCES how natural should the park be? Vision: Improve the natural setting and quality of the park Natural Resources within Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park include all aspects of how natural should the park be? implementing and maintaining the landscape, vegetation, habitat, and water body informal play lawn naturalized informalinformal play play lawn lawn landscape trail
trail improvements within the park. The needs assessment process identified several key trail concerns related to the park’s natural resources, including water quality of the lakes and street street creek, stormwater management, and functional habitat. The goals below address these streetstreet street
informal play lawn naturalized street informal play lawn landscape concerns and support the overall vision for improving the natural setting and quality of trail trail naturalizednaturalized
picnic street landscape picnic the park. picnic landscape shelter sheltershelter street street naturalized
landscape street trailtrail trail naturalized naturalized picnic landscape picnic naturalized shelter landscape shelter Natural Landscape landscape naturalized landscape trail trail naturalized naturalizednaturalized naturalized During the planning process, a broad landscape design methodology was presented for landscape landscapelandscape lakelake lake landscape naturalized naturalized discussion, and put two design styles in comparison: landscape lake lake landscape 1. A Campus Style that maintains the park primarily as mowed turf, with designated areas of naturalized landscape inserted within it. These naturalized areas— rain gardens, wetlands, or other plantings— could contribute to wildlife habitat and “campus“campus style” style” “natural style”“natural style” stormwater management. A campusA campus style park style park features features open, open, mown mown lawns lawns and and A natural styleA natural park features style lawns, park open features spaces, and lawns, open spaces, and patches of plantings that shape space and draw the clearings tucked into a matrix of vegetation. Gathering 2. A Naturalized Style that maintains the park primarily as native/ naturalized patches eyeof plantings to different thatviews. shapeThis type space of park andrequires draw a lot the areas may beclearings surrounded tucked by grassland into or a prairie, matrix of vegetation. Gathering eye to differentof mowing, views.but less intensiveThis type planting of park maintenance. requires a lot overlookingareas wetlands, may or wooded.be surrounded This type of by park grassland or prairie, landscape in the form of savanna, meadow, prairie, woodland, and wetlands, with of mowing,Due tobut its lessopen intensivelayout, spaces planting are highly maintenance.flexible and is composedoverlooking of native habitats wetlands, that require or specific wooded. This type of park designatedhow areas natural of managed turf should inserted within the it. The park naturalized be? landscape can accomodate a variety of uses; however, there is little maintenance; however, mowing is less necessary. Care Due to itshabitat open value layout, to this spaces type of park. are highly flexible and must be takenis composed to counter natural of native areas with habitats enough openthat require specific would contribute in greater significance to improved wildlife habitat and can accomodate a variety of uses; however, there is little space to accomodatemaintenance; flexible however,play. This type mowing of park offers is less necessary. Care stormwater management. habitat value to this type of park. more habitatmust value bethan taken a campus to stylecounter park. natural areas with enough open space to accomodate flexible play. This type of park offers character images character images Community input and feedback through the CAC indicates a strong preference for more habitat value than a campus style park. implementing the Naturalized Style, as howlong as natural ample areas should of managed the turf park used for be? passive recreation, informal play, and picnicking are designated sufficiently throughout informalinformal play lawn lawn naturalizednaturalized informal play lawn landscape character images trail landscape character images
trail the park. Similarly, trail access needs to be maintained across the landscape where many trail people currently cut across open lawns to reach the trail systems.street Finally, security was street street street mentioned as a concern regarding more native plantings, and ongoing maintenance will informal play lawn naturalized informal play lawn landscapestreet
trail
trail
street
need to address areas of limited sight lines as more of the parknaturalized becomes naturalized. picnic street picnic landscape picnic street shelter shelter street shelter naturalizednaturalized street Increasing the amount of naturalized vegetation within the park can accomplish several landscape trail naturalized landscape picnic landscape trailtrail picnic shelter shelter objectives, including improved stormwaternaturalized management and water quality. The intent of naturalized landscape landscape this Master Plan is not to naturalize the entire park, but rather, totrail increase the amount of trail naturalized landscape naturalized naturalizednaturalized naturalized landscape around strategic locations of open lawnlandscape and unprogrammed turf lake landscapelandscape lake naturalized lake naturalized landscape areas. The resulting scenario would achieve approximately 50% oflake naturalized parkland, lake landscape leaving the remaining 50% as managed turf or active recreational uses. The naturalized landscape envisioned comprises restoration of areas for mesic prairie, savanna and meadow, utilizing appropriate native plants and grasses; it does not entail leaving non- “campus style” “campus style” “natural“natural style” style” native turf grass to grow without mowing.A campus style park features open, mown lawns and A natural style park features lawns, open spaces, and A campus style park featurespatches open, of plantings mown that lawns shape space and and draw the A naturalclearings style tucked park intofeatures a matrix lawns, of vegetation. open Gatheringspaces, and The water resourcepatches effects of of plantings increasing that naturalizedeye shape to different space vegetation views. and This draw intype the the of parkpark requires have beena lot clearingsnokomis-hiawathaareas tucked may be intosurrounded a matrixregional by grassland of vegetation. park or prairie, GatheringCommunity analyzed for the percentage of park area toof mowing,be converted but less intensivefrom turf planting grass maintenance. to native overlooking wetlands, or wooded. This type of park eye to different views. DueThis totype its open of layout,park requires spaces are highlya lot flexible and areasmaster mayis composed be plan surrounded ofand native park habitats by improvements grassland that require or specific prairie, Open House understory plantof communities mowing, but (restored less intensive habitat).can accomodate planting The following a variety maintenance. of analysisuses; however, is specific there is little to overlookingmaintenance; wetlands, however, or mowingwooded. is less This necessary. type Careof park Due to its open layout, spaceshabitat value are highlyto this type flexible of park. and is composedmust be oftaken native to counter habitats natural that areas require with enough specific open landcover conversion only and does not take into account the effect of other stormwater space to accomodate flexible play. This type of park offers best managementcan practices accomodate (BMPs) a thatvariety are oflikely uses; be however, sited within there naturalized is little landscape.maintenance; more habitat however, value than mowing a campus isstyle less park. necessary. Care habitat value to this type of park. must be taken to counter natural areas with enough open character images spacecharacter to accomodate images flexible play. This type of park offers more habitat value than a campus style park. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 24 character images nokomis-hiawathacharacter images regional park Community master plan and park improvements Open House
nokomis-hiawatha regional park Community master plan and park improvements Open House
nokomis-hiawatha regional park Community master plan and park improvements Open House % N-load Reduction Nutrient Loading: Test Volume Reduction (see sidebar) Scenario Natural Increased nutrient (nitrogen and Cover acre-ft/year % lbs/year % phosphorus) loading in lakes leads X 4% - - - - to degraded water quality and P1 10% 2 0.3% 33 6% ecosystem health. Reducing the amount of nutrient loading improves P2 25% 8 1.1% 118 22% water quality and habitat conditions. P3 50% 17 2.4% 259 48% Requirements that limit the amount P4 75% 26 3.7% 401 74% of nutrients allowed in water bodies P5 90% 31 4.4% 486 90% are called Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) goals. Given the small relative area (in relation to watershed area) and subtle difference in stormwater runoff coefficients between turf grass with trees and naturalized landscape with trees, the water resource effects are modest, but beneficial. The estimated hydrologic cycle changes can be seen in Figure 1 which illustrates steadily higher infiltration and lower runoff rates as naturalized landscape percentage increases.
Water quality improvements to nutrient levels, as measured in Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), are apparent but limited. Put in context, the annual 0.6 pound reduction in Total Phosphorus estimated for a 50% natural cover conversion (see Figure 2) is less than 1% of the annual Total Phosphorus load reduction goal for Lake Nokomis.
Wildflowers at Lake Nokomis Naturalized Landscapes and Best Management Practices: »» Rain Gardens »» Wet Detention Ponds »» Shoreline Restoration »» Constructed Wetlands Figure 1 – Estimated annual water cycle change associated with landcover conversion. »» Meadow »» Savanna »» Prairie
Figure 2 – Estimated annual reduction in Nitrate & Nitrite (NO3+NO2) as well as Total Phosphorus (TP) to Lake Nokomis & Lake Hiawatha for the range of landcover conversions discussed Existing wetlands at Lake Nokomis
PAGE 25 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. While TMDL goals are one way to monitor water quality, they do not account for bacteria levels. At Lake Hiawatha, beach closures due to E. coli levels have impacted swimming and other recreation in past years. While creating naturalized shoreline buffers will not wholly eliminate geese from using the lakes, limiting their ability to gather along the shoreline is likely to help reduce their impacts on water quality.
Though increasing the amount of naturalized plantings will have a small impact on water quality in the lakes, the associated habitat improvements will have an immense impact on the park’s wildlife. Native plants not only attract pollinators, but also other insects, birds, and small mammals, forming the basis of a food chain that supports Nokomis- Hiawatha Regional Park’s own ecosystem. Most of our native insects need native plants to survive – they simply do not recognize non-native plant species as food. They evolved to feed on only a few kinds of plants, and it takes thousands of years for them to adapt to new food sources. To foster a healthy food chain and support pollinators, we need to offer plants that insects recognize and landscapes that can be used as habitat.
Water Quality Native grasses While the Master Plan addresses water quality strategies that can be implemented within the park, the importance of managing stormwater throughout the watershed cannot be overlooked. Water quality is one aspect of natural resources that is greatly impacted by actions and activities occurring throughout the broader landscape.
The Park is within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed, which includes Minnehaha Creek, the city stormwater sewer system, and surface stormwater runoff. Certain kinds of urban development increase the volume and rate of stormwater runoff and the occurence of litter and other pollutants in our lakes. Impacts to water quality higher up in the watershed influence the quality of water entering the lakes. Lake Hiawatha is especially vulnerable as Minnehaha Creek directly provides the majority of its pollutant load.
Recent and ongoing water quality improvement efforts in Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park include:
»» Study of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for Lakes Hiawatha and Nokomis »» Extensive and ongoing water quality monitoring (by MPRB) »» Bluewater Partnership for stormwater treatment Wildlife »» Bio-manipulation Program (by MCWD) to increase biodiversity of lake species in Lake Nokomis »» Monitoring for aquatic invasive species (zebra mussels) »» Best Management Practices (BMPs) for establishing and maintaining wetland habitat and treating stormwater »» Ongoing shoreline restoration study A technical memo prepared by Emmons & Olivier Resources (see Appendix) concludes that combining localized BMPs with stormwater treatment throughout the watershed will prove the most effective and practical strategy for reducing pollutant loads in the lakes. Although this Plan designates about 100 acres for naturalization and stormwater treatment, high water tables, poorly-drained soils, and insufficient topography will reduce the actual area of parkland suitable for BMPs. Fortunately, there are numerous opportunities to incorporate stormwater features in the greater watershed, and when implemented together, a significant portion, if not all, of Lake Nokomis’ TMDL goals could be achieved. Comprehensive stormwater management provides several additional benefits, including groundwater recharge, reduced flooding, and increased habitat. Large mature trees
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 26 Master Plan Natural Resource Goals:
Natural Landscape 1. Increase the amount of naturalized landscape in the park with areas of restored wetland, prairie, meadow, and savanna. These naturalized areas will work to increase beneficial vegetation around water bodies, stabilize shorelines, and improve wildlife habitat for birds, pollinators, and fish. Areas of naturalized landscape will be actively managed and planted with select native species appropriate for the location and conditions of the specific site. The natural plantings will be utilized as best management practices (BMPs)— strategies that improve functional habitat and water quality— and care will be taken to maintain their appearance and height to retain views of the lake and promote a safe and attractive park environment. Naturalized landscape will be implemented gradually as maintenance ability and funding allow. Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park from above Water Quality 2. Increase the number of wetlands in the park to enhance stormwater treatment. 3. Implement additional best management practices (BMPs) for stormwater management, by: »» Identifying stormwater management opportunities that serve multiple functions and thrive in a variety of hydrologic conditions »» Managing pollution from Canadian geese and dogs »» Exploring solutions to reduce trash in Lake Hiawatha via Minnehaha Creek 4. Support ongoing efforts to improve water quality, including TMDL projects, biomanipulation, and water quality monitoring. Master Plan Natural Resource Fishing pier at Lake Hiawatha Recommendations: The Natural Resources Framework Plan identifies locations of restored habitat, managed turf, and wetlands, illustrating the following recommendations for park improvements:
1. Maintain active recreation primarily in existing activity areas. 2. Limit turfgrass to identified turf areas managed for picnicking, unprogrammed uses, and passive or informal recreation. 3. Create naturalized landscape opportunities: »» Along shorelines »» Outside active zones »» In low-lying areas »» Integrated with stormwater systems »» Within the lakes 4. Transition gradually from approximately 10% to 50% restored landscape. 5. Study and manage the effects of non-native carp in the lakes. Landscape of the park
PAGE 27 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Natural Resources Framework Plan
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 28 CIRCULATION AND CONNECTIVITY Vision: Offer premier trail experiences that knit the park together. Circulation and Connectivity within Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park addresses the movement of pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles through the park as well as access into and out of the park. The needs assessment process identified the crossing of busy roadways as the greatest circulation concern, particularly along Cedar Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway. Additional study identified locations where conflicts between pedestrians and bikes, or bikes and vehicles posed particular danger. The goals below address these concerns and support the overall vision for improving circulation and connectivity within and around the park.
Bicycle Trails Master Plan Circulation and Connectivity Goals:
Circulation 1. Improve the loop trail experience with consistent pavement, additional trails where needed, and clear signage. 2. Reconstruct trails at locations where bicycles, pedestrians, and/or vehicles pose identified traffic conflicts. 3. Provide options for bicycle traffic to safely navigate through or around recreational Activity Centers (see page 36). 4. Enhance winter trail use by adding seasonal access gates for cross-country skiing and winter walking. Connectivity Trails in poor condition 5. Enhance connections to the surrounding neighborhoods. 6. Improve Cedar Avenue crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists. 7. Improve Minnehaha Parkway crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists. 8. Establish a southern gateway to the Grand Rounds to work with the addition of the Intercity Regional Trail.
The park typically provides separate trails for bike and pedestrian traffic
PAGE 29 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. 26th Ave
Legend
Hiawatha Winter-only 27th Ave 43th Street Multi-use Path Walk/Snowshoe Trail 30th Ave Bike Trail Proposed On-street Bike Path Winter Trail Access Gates Pedestrian-Only Trail On-street Bike Path 44th Street 44th Street
i Parking Lot 28th Ave Enhanced Crosswalks Lake Hiawatha l Fishing Recreational Center* Improved Crossings at Winter-only Walk/ Pedestrian Ramps Cedar Avenue | Canoe Launch Snowshoe Trail Longfellow Ave Golf Course Traffic Signals (Excluded from Study) lake hiawatha Winter-only Crosswalks Access Gate 46th Street Hiawatha Golf Course (Excluded from study) 46th Street minnehaha 13th Ave Cedar Ave Winter Trail creek 17th Ave Access Gates
48th Street Minnehaha Parkway i i Minnehaha Parkway | Lake Nokomis Community Center Nokomis Ave i 14th Ave l * | 49th Street l
| 50th Street 50th Street Nokomis East Beach i i Lake Nokomis Beach
Cedar Ave & Bath House Bloomington Ave * 12th Ave Woodlawn
52nd Street 52nd Street lake nokomis 28th Ave 14th Ave
53rd Street
l
54th Street Lake Nokomis Pkwy 54th Street Triangle Park Woodlawn Blvd
54th Street 30th Ave
Edgewater Blvd l l 24th Ave 28th Ave Area of continued coordination with City y Pkw 56th Street 56th Street
21st Ave and County for ongoing mis study of transportation and Lake Noko safety solutions Connection to Intercity 0’ 500’ Regional Trail Circulation & Connectivity Framework Plan
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 30 Master Plan Circulation and Connectivity Recommendations: The Circulation and Connectivity Framework Plan identifies trail routes, locations for enhanced crossings, and opportunities for improved roadway connections, which can be seen in the following recommendations for park improvements:
1. Add or improve trail connections between neighborhoods and the park through additional trails, accessibility improvements, and street crossing enhancements. a. Improved pavement and signage b. Dedicated bicycle and pedestrian paths over Cedar Avenue Bridge c. Bicycle bypass around Nokomis Main Beach and Nokomis Community Center Activity Centers Enhanced crosswalks have wider crossing d. Limit informal trails that destabilize soils space with markings for separate trails 2. Southwest “Lagoon” Area Trails a. Add “outer lagoon” walking loop with walking trail parallel to existing bicycle trail near Nokomis Parkway b. Add trail access to Cedar Avenue Bridge at north and south sides
3. Lake Hiawatha Trails a. Reroute the bicycle path around Lake Hiawatha Recreation Area to follow the outside of the play fields and playground connecting to an on-street bike route along 27th Avenue on the east side of Lake Hiawatha b. Add a complete bicycle and pedestrian trail system around the perimeter of Hiawatha Golf Course c. Add a seasonal walking trail on the west side of Lake Hiawatha, accessible only when golfing is not in season d. Connect bicycle and pedestrian trails under the 28th Avenue bridge along Minnehaha Creek e. Add additional seasonal access gates to cross-country trails within Hiawatha Golf Course Separate walking and biking trails f. Build a new pedestrian bridge across Minnehaha Creek to fully separate trails at the southeast corner of Lake Hiawatha
4. Roadway Crossings a. Improve Cedar Avenue crossings for bicycles and pedestrians b. Improve Parkway crossing near Nokomis Community Center c. Add crossing of Minnehaha Parkway near existing parking lot
5. Transportation and Traffic a. MPRB shall remain involved in ongoing City- and/or County-led study and improvement of transportation and safety around the Cedar Avenue / Nokomis Parkway / Edgewater Boulevard intersections. Involvement may include assistance with community engagement, access to land for information gathering, continued planning collaboration, and, if warranted, making land available A bridge across Minnehaha Creek for implementation of a solution that results from careful study, community narrows the separation between bike and engagement, and analysis of the positive impact on the park experience. pedestrian traffic
PAGE 31 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Cedar Ave
Enhanced Crossing (Wider) Naturalized 52nd Street Shoreline
q Existing Stormwater Wetland q Overlook LAKE NOKOMIS q Pedestrian Trail q under Bridge Abutments Lake Nokomis Pkwy Enhanced Crossings Proposed Stormwater Multi Use Trail Wetland 54th Street
Pedestrian Trail Overlook under Bridge Abutments Picnic q q
Existing Stormwater Wetland q Proposed Naturalized Shoreline Stormwater q Wetland Existing Stormwater Picnic Wetland Restored Habitat
Area of 21st Ave continued Picnic coordination with City Restored Restrooms and County for ongoing study Habitat of transportation and safety solutions Enhanced Crossing
0’ 500’
Circulation & Connectivity Vignette -- Southwest Lake Nokomis
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 32 RECREATION Vision: Continue to ensure quality recreation for everyone by enhancing existing amenities and adding key new facilities. Recreation continues to be the primary draw for visitors at all Minneapolis Parks, and Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is no exception. The community identifies the trails, athletic fields, and beaches as some of the park’s most important features. The biggest concerns with recreation in the park have to do with the lack of restrooms and drinking water available. Other concerns center on the improvement of particular facilities, including the beach house, vita course, and some of the playground equipment.
Passive recreation in the park Master Plan Recreation Goals: 1. Continue to provide a high-quality regional-scale recreation experience. 2. Meet neighborhood recreation needs. 3. Continue to provide multiple scales of community gathering. 4. Add select new facilities in areas that support active uses. Master Plan Recreation Recommendations – Park-wide: The Recreation Framework Plan identifies locations for additional restrooms and drinking water, and pinpoints system-wide improvements, resulting in the following recommendations for park-wide recreation:
1. Focus recreation in existing Activity Centers (see following pages). 2. Expand and improve the number of dedicated and informal picnic areas Athletic fields are popular for softball throughout the park. 3. Add more portable restrooms, especially in the south and east sides of Lake Nokomis. 4. Refurbish the vitacourse. 5. Enhance the arboretum with signage and events. 6. Remove the Art Walk and related signage. 7. Redevelop play area at 54th Street Triangle Park with nature themed equipment and play space.
The park is popular for triathlon events
PAGE 33 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. 43th Street 27th Ave legend Tennis 30th Ave q Wading Pool Athletic Primary Facility Fields Playground Parking Vitacourse (Refurbished) i* 44th Street 44th Street Golf Course Boundary 5 Picnic Lake Hiawatha ´ Restaurant (Excluded from Study) Recreational Center 28th Ave Basketball Play Area _ Existing Restroom * Proposed Restroom Picnic Area 5 _ & Drinking Fountain _ Longfellow Ave | Fishing Pier Restored Habitat lake hiawatha ericsson Hiawatha Golf Course Canoe Launch Turf Managed for l Recreation (Excluded from study) ¤ Sailboatnorthrop Buoys Active Recreation ´ 5 *Club House 46th Street Fishing Pier l Event Space _ Cedar Ave Tennis 17th Ave minnehaha northrop 5 Picnic creek Playground Skate Park 5 i 48th Street Minnehaha Parkway i Lake Nokomis minnehaha _ Community Center Minnehaha Parkway creek | 14th Ave 5 5 l i* _ 5 | 49th Street l Nokomis r Swimming Beach Athletic Fields Naturescape Playground 5 G Bike Rentals Nokomis 50th Street East Beach {$ Boat Rentals _ _ i Lake Nokomis Beach & r ´ Restaurant Beach House 28th Ave Bloomington Ave 5 Picnic 5 * { Boat Launch 5 Sand Volleyball ¤ Woodlawn keewaydin Event Space hale 5 ¤ Oak Point 52nd Street _ Arboretum 52nd Street 14th Ave lake nokomis
5 53rd Street
l
54th Street Lake Nokomis Pkwy Cedar Ave Triangle Park 54th Street Woodlawn Blvd 54th Street _ 30th Ave 5 l 5 wenonah l Remove Art Walk 28th Ave
Edgewater Blvd
y diamond lake kw 56th Street _ is P 56th Street 24th Ave Lake Nokom 21st Ave 5 0’ 500’ Recreation Framework Plan
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 34 Master Plan Recreation Recommendations – Activity Centers: Specific recreation recommendations are addressed within each of three identified Activity Centers, which benefited from individual, focused study during the planning process. These Activity Centers target the three amenity buildings and facilities currently in the park, and are existing locations for focused recreational uses and programs. They include:
»» Nokomis Main Beach and Athletic Fields »» Nokomis Community Center and East Beach »» Lake Hiawatha Recreation Area
Nokomis Main Beach
Historic WPA playground equipment at Nokomis Community Center
Swimming at the East Beach on Lake Nokomis
PAGE 35 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. nokomis-hiawatha regional park master plan and park improvements
43rd Street Bloomington Ave Cedar Ave
30th Ave
(separate plan) (separate
Lake Hiawatha Hiawatha Lake Recreation Area Recreation 44th Street 44th Street 14th Ave
ericsson Longfellow Ave northrop hiawatha golf lake hiawatha course
46th Street 46th Street 13th Ave mcrae park 17th Ave lake minnehaha hiawatha creek activity center to the mississippi!
48th Street minnehaha parkway minnehaha nokomis community center
creek and east beach Nokomis Ave activity center
main beach & 28th Ave athletic fields 50th Street 50th Street
Bloomington Ave activity Center 12th Ave
Cedar Ave keewaydin
hale 52nd Street 52nd Street lake nokomis keewaydin 14th Ave park Keewaydin Elementary
Hale Elementary Woodlawn Blvd
54th Street 54th Street 30th Ave
Edgewater Blvd Our Lady of Peace wenonah 24th Ave
wy Pk 28th Ave 56th Street s 21st Ave E. Nokomi Bossen field diamond lake Wenonah Elementary
57th Street 57th Street 0’ 500’ Activity Center Key Map
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 36 Nokomis Main Beach and Athletic Fields Activity Center Plan
PAGE 37 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Nokomis Main Beach and Athletic Fields
Main Beach Activity Center Plan The Nokomis Main Beach and Athletic Fields Activity Center Plan illustrates the following recommendations to enhance the use, access, circulation, and amenities for recreation in this location. Master plan recommendations for this area include:
1. Maintain a cluster of smaller buildings at the main beach. 2. Renovate or redevelop the beach house building. 3. Add more picnic pavilions. 4. Expand the beach’s swimmable area to the north and add shade structures. 5. Reconfigure and expand the existing parking lot to add approximately 30 spaces and include methods to manage and clean stormwater. 6. Add ADA accessible water access at the north side of beach. Sandcastle lakeside restaurant 7. Add sand volleyball south of the parking lot. 8. Move the existing boat storage away from this Activity Center and relocate it below the hill near the Nokomis Community Center. 9. Regrade and reconstruct the athletic fields, with layout to be determined at time of implementation. Coordinate with the Bossen Field Park Master Plan. 10. Add a new parking lot with approximately 60 spaces west of Nokomis Parkway, ensuring this new lot includes stormwater management BMPs. 11. Add a new bike path between the reconfigured parking lot and Nokomis Parkway to bypass the Nokomis Main Beach area; enhance the trail crossings (with signage and markings) of the parking lot access drives to increase bike visibility and safety. 12. Establish a slow-speed shared trail (with signage and markings) for bike and pedestrian use between the reconfigured existing parking lot and the beach house, and add more bike parking at the beach. 13. Relocate the boat rentals and related concessions to the north side of beach. Existing playground at the Main Beach
Swimming at the Main Beach
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 38 Nokomis Community Center and East Beach Activity Center Plan Beach and East Activity Center Center Community Nokomis
PAGE 39 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Nokomis Community Center and East Beach The Nokomis Community Center and East Beach Plan illustrates the following recommendations to enhance the use, access, circulation, and amenities for recreation in this location. Master Plan recommendations for this area include:
Upper Hillside 1. Expand the Community Center building to add a double gym and meeting rooms, and a larger plaza at the southwest corner of the building. The new building should meet improved environmental performance standards. 2. Add a small amphitheater to accommodate approximately 150 people. 3. Build a skate park integrated within the landscape that includes stormwater management. 4. Resurface both sets of courts and stripe for both tennis and pickleball. 5. Reconfigure pedestrian and bicycle trails within this activity area to reduce Neighborhood gathering pedestrian/bicycle/vehicle conflicts. 6. Extend the bike trail on the south side of Minnehaha Parkway east to connect with Woodlawn Boulevard. 7. Remove the existing parking lot to the east of the tennis courts and convert to a picnic area. 8. Expand the existing parking lot to replace parking spaces lost by removal of the east parking lot (no net loss of existing parking availability). New construction should incorporate stormwater management and landscaping designed to minimize the visual impact of the larger parking lot. 9. Maintain an open lawn with a small backstop for pickup field games. 10. Relocate the event and gathering space from along the lake to the top of the hill near the playground. 11. Update the playground equipment. 12. Keep historic picnic grounds in place. Existing historic picnic ground Lower Lakeside 13. Add a formal canoe and kayak launch near the existing lakeside parking lot. 14. Relocate community boat storage for canoes and kayaks from the Main Beach area to a new canoe launch location. 15. Establish a neighborhood gathering area at the 50th Street park entrance, with possible seating and stairs down to the water’s edge.
The lakes are popular for many activities
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 40 Lake Hiawatha Activity Center Plan
PAGE 41 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Lake Hiawatha The Lake Hiawatha Activity Center Plan illustrates the following recommendations to enhance the use, access, circulation, and amenities for recreation in this location. The recreational uses currently existing in and around the Hiawatha Recreation Center are managed under a separate plan (included in the Appendix) and are therefore not included in the recommendations listed here. Outside of this area, the Master Plan recommendations for Lake Hiawatha include:
1. Reconfigure trails at the existing Minnehaha Creek Bridge. 2. Connect bike trails with on-street city bike routes. 3. Install additional gates for cross-country skiing access through the golf course. 4. Add bike and pedestrian trails under the 28th Avenue Bridge when that bridge is reconstructed. 5. Maintain the existing picnic areas and add picnic shelters. Lake Hiawatha 6. Add a trail system around the perimeter of the golf course. 7. Divert the bike path around the recreation center area. 8. Add a winter-only walking/snowshoe trail around the west side of Lake Hiawatha. 9. Add a new bridge for pedestrians over the creek in the southeast part of the lake. 10. Replace the Lake Hiawatha Beach with a naturalized shoreline, boardwalk, and a sunset pavilion. 11. Add a designated canoe/kayak launch and storage racks near the lakeshore. 12. Add curb-cuts for trail access across from 45th and 46th Streets on the east side of Lake Hiawatha.
Hiawatha Recreation Center
Wading pool at Hiawatha Recreation Center
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 4: Park Development PAGE 42 PAGE 43 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. SECTION 5: OPERATIONS & MANAGEMENT Operations Overview Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is operated and managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) which budgets funds to operate and maintain the park. The MPRB provides park maintenance and oversight for facility operations, recreation, and educational programs. Staffing levels are increased in the summer, and as needed through the employment of seasonal staff. City of Minneapolis and MPRB police officers provide public safety services. Natural resources management services, including water resources and forestry/horticulture, and natural area management, are provided by the MPRB. Some natural areas within the park are cooperatively managed by the MPRB and other agencies (City of Minneapolis and MCWD) and by volunteer groups. Other operational and support services to the park include administrative services, marketing and communication, revenue handling and finance, human resources, planning and development, and research. Operations & Management of Natural Areas Historically, naturalized landscape areas have not constituted significant land area in traditional urban parks like Nokomis-Hiawatha, creating maintenance regimes primarily comprised of mowing large expanses of lawn. The habitat, water quality, and aesthetic improvements offered by the introduction of more naturalized landscape areas require a shift in landscape management. Maintenance workers may need, for example, plant identification training to learn how to properly manage natural areas. As restored landscapes become more common, the skills required for their proper stewardship will be increasingly in demand.
While it may require additional skills of MPRB workers (or additional contract management), natural area management can be targeted to very specific periods, making the overall time spent managing naturalized landscapes similar to or less than traditional maintenance efforts. Prairie, meadow, and savanna plantings are drought tolerant and need only to be mowed a few times per growing season. Proper timing of maintenance prevents weed species from seeding and unwanted woody species from establishing. In addition to mowing, mulch replenishment and monthly inspections for the removal of common weeds are the primary management tasks. Developing a written management plan that prescribes specific protocol for care of parkland is suggested as additional planting and construction of green infrastructure occurs. Managing and preventing the spread of aquatic and terrestrial invasive species should be included in such a plan, as invasives like zebra mussels are of particular concern to water quality and recreation in the lakes. Specialized management activities, like controlled burns or targeted invasive removal, may be contracted as needed. Ideally, contracted maintenance will be performed in conjunction with the management of nearby MPRB sites that require similar maintenance.
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 5: Operations & Management PAGE 44 Boundaries, Acquisition, and Conflicts Boundaries and Acquisition The long-term vision for Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is to maintain the park with its current boundaries both north and south of Minnehaha Parkway. There are no plans to acquire additional land or alter park ownership at the time of this Master Plan. Conflicts Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park exists within the context of Minneapolis neighborhoods with a mixture of uses. Generally, the Regional Park is compatible with and, in many cases, a benefit to existing uses. The proposed Regional Park boundary was developed largely as urban development in south Minneapolis was growing during the early 1900s. Care is taken in park development to ensure separation between park users and private property through either physical space or landscape features. Land-use conflicts within the Regional Park arise primarily from safety issues related to vehicle traffic and roadway crossings of Cedar Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway. Maps of the park system help wayfinding Ordinances The Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB) has adopted a set of ordinances which define the rules and regulations for Minneapolis Parks in order to provide for the safe and peaceful use of the parks and corresponding facilities; for the educational and recreational benefits and enjoyment of the public; for the protection and preservation of the property, facilities, and natural resources; and for the safety and general welfare of the public.
A copy of the ordinances may be obtained from the MPRB web site (www. MinneapolisParks.org). Rules and regulations are also posted throughout Minneapolis Parks properties and facilities. Posted information includes park hours, permitted and prohibited activities, fees, maps of the park and/or trail, and whom to contact in case of an emergency. MPRB officers, along with City of Minneapolis police, regularly patrol all property and trails on foot, horse, bicycle and by motor vehicle. When necessary, ordinances may be enforced via citations. The park is a great place for family picnics The City of Minneapolis handles construction permitting and zoning where development is proposed on the property. Any development that may impact stormwater runoff and water quality triggers the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to use its permitting authority as well. Public Awareness The urban context of Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park will help in making the public aware of park development as it progresses. As with other parks and facilities throughout its system, MPRB will publicize and promote Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park through a variety of established channels, including its website, publications, community newspapers, and other media. Grand openings, press releases, and integration of parks with school and recreational programs will also expand awareness. Within Nokomis- Hiawatha Regional Park, trails will be signed, and existing MPRB system maps will be updated as progress is made in extending trails within Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park. Swings at the Nokomis Main Beach
PAGE 45 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Public Services Infrastructure Most of the Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park Master Plan can be developed without extensive investment in non-recreational public infrastructure, services, and utilities. Within its fully-developed urban context, there are sufficient electricity, gas, water, and sewer services to implement the vision.
Coordination with the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County will be ongoing to address transportation infrastructure needs for crossing improvements made to Cedar Avenue or Minnehaha Parkway, or other vehicle circulation affecting the park. Stormwater Management Stormwater improvements, as they apply to the Master Plan area, are largely anticipated to occur as part of redevelopment projects, such as the expansion of existing or construction of new parking lots, the location of new wetlands, or the addition of native landscapes. These types of projects will be implemented by the MPRB in partnership People enjoy swimming in the lake with other organizations, such as the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) and the City of Minneapolis. Stormwater management upstream of the Master Plan area is essential to continued water quality improvements in Lakes Nokomis and Hiawatha, as not all issues can be addressed via best managment practices (BMPs) within the park.
Recognizing that stormwater management technology is constantly evolving, the Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan does not identify specific features, but rather, provides a set of principles to guide the development of stormwater management infrastructure. These principles include:
»» Pursuing a range of stormwater BMPs in new development, including vegetated swales, rain gardens, wetlands, impervious surface reduction, underground treatment structures, green roofs, and others »» Exploring ways to attractively integrate stormwater-management features into the public realm, as managing stormwater upstream of water bodies is the most effective method »» Supporting retrofits of existing sites to bring them more into compliance with Shoreline plantings provide habitat stormwater BMPs, including the addition of green roofs, reduction of impervious surface cover, and other strategies »» Considering partnerships and coordination between private development, other agencies, and parks to maximize the efficiency of stormwater systems, explore shared solutions, and increase the greening of the public realm »» Coordinating the provision of stormwater management facilities and open space to provide public realm connectivity and preserve scenic views
View of downtown Minneapolis through the trees
NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. S ection 5: Operations & Management PAGE 46 Historic Resources Much of the original vision set forth for the park in the early 20th century has endured. This master plan works to honor Theodore Wirth’s original plan by retaining much of the park’s arrangement of parkways, shoreline, trails, and activity areas. While early buildings and structures have long been removed or altered, this master plan recognizes the extensive efforts of the federal programs of the 1930s and the work they did to establish the park’s aesthetic. By retaining original walkway alignments, highlighting key features from the era— such as the Nokomis picnic grounds— and making an effort to preserve or interpret WPA materials, the integrity of the park’s heritage will be maintained. Accessibility The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board continues to be committed to ensuring that The master plan proposes a fully ADA park users are connected to the land and each other. To achieve this vision, the 2007- accessible pathway to the lake. 2020 Comprehensive Plan identified the following three strategies that are specifically related to accessibility and special needs populations:
»» Build or renew facilities to meet or exceed standards for accessibility (pg. 27) »» Ensure recreation opportunities are available for persons with disabilities (pg. 20) »» Identify and reduce physical and financial barriers to participation in programming (pg. 20) In developing new park elements within Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park, care will be taken to design facilities that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as principles for universal accessibility. Some existing facilities that do not meet ADA requirements include steps at some trail access points. These will be rehabilitated to meet ADA standards as resources allow.
Cost can also be a barrier for park and recreation use. Most park facilities will not require a fee for public use, as is consistent with MPRB policy throughout its system. Amenities such as multi-use trails, community gathering places, and public water access points are generally provided free of charge. Some of the amenities proposed for Nokomis-Hiawatha Accessible walkway at Wirth Beach Regional Park could have minimal associated user fees, for example, boat-storage at Lake Hiawatha, or rental fees for large gathering spaces or picnic pavilions. Users generally have the option of purchasing a permit or using meters for parking. Reduced fee arrangements are available for recreational programming.
Stairs help users access park trails
PAGE 47 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION Priorities and Estimated Costs In order to execute the goals for Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park, the Master Plan includes a list of park improvement projects for implementation over time. These projects relate to the recommendations outlined in Section 4 of this document and work to achieve the Unfold to see Nokomis- overall vision for the park. The table on the following page lists the projects and identifies each in relation to the Framework Plans or Hiawatha Regional Activity Center Plans described within the Master Plan. Park Priorities & Each project is also given a preferred prioritization for implementation. Decisions about prioritization were made with recommendations Cost Estimate Table from the CAC and MPRB staff. Issues taken into consideration during the decision process include identified needs, community desires, coordinating implementing agencies, and capital cost estimates. Prioritization categories include:
»» Ongoing = Implementation of these projects will continue each year as money is available for capital improvements and ongoing operations and management. »» Short = These projects are planned for implementation within 6 years of the Master Plan’s approval. Some of the projects in this category are identified as “major capital” projects, which require additional funding outside of annual capital funding in order for short-term implementation. »» Medium = These projects are planned for implementation 6 to 12 years from the Master Plan’s approval. »» Long = These projects are planned for implementation more than 12 years after the Master Plan’s approval. »» Dependent = These projects require significant coordination, approvals, and funding from other agencies, such as the City of Minneapolis or Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Implementation can only occur as a joint-project with the relevant partnering agency(ies). Cost estimates reflect expenditures expected for the MPRB only.
The total estimated cost for each project is calculated using previously known construction costs, example bids, and other similar example projects. All costs are completed in 2015 dollars and are subject to change. Several varying factors, including design and construction plans, may alter costs as the timing for implementation nears.
Section 6: Implementation PAGE 48 Update 4 March 2014 March 4 Update Cost Notes Trail reconstruction only Assumes resurfacing,nets striping, and Assumes 860ft boardwalk; new pavilion;boardwalk; beachremoval; 860ft canoe launch New trailNew construction Maximum Cost; Dependent on full Dependent on Maximum building Cost; construction designand plans Maximum Cost; Dependent field on Maximum configuration Cost; design and Trail reconstruction Includes new trail bridge to access only Dependent on involvementDependent on funding and from Minnehaha Creek for collaborative District; costs Watershed restoration habitat To includeTo stormwater management Assumes installation by MPRB Assumes To includeTo stormwater management Assumes canvas single post struction; Cost with installation Cost struction; single canvas post Assumes Dependent on City of Minneapolis City Dependent on bridge replacementproject; builtassume withbridge by others structures and New New court construction Assumes traditional shelters Assumes Concrete Concrete design integrated with landscape Trail dewatering construction and Includes enclosureexcluded; installation portable only; cost restrooms by MPRB trail builtwith foundations new bridge Assumes by structures and others Assumes open stage and seating and stage open Assumes Costs dependent on location on dependent from distance and water source Costs identification Plantand tags signage Replace number overflow at of stalls parking Trail removalnew trail and restoration(700ft) landscape and construction (1400ft) 3000ft Hiawatha; 5800ft Nokomis Removalrestoration of landscape and of signs Include striping of existing trailbridge on Includes reconstruction curbof trail intersections, cut to approaches revision, sign relocation striping and ped trail; of 8ft Dual miles trail 1.6 bike trail, of 10ft 3400ft system: new bridgeAve; overalongbike creek; 27th on-street path 900ft and Removal restoration and Assumes resurfacingrepair and Assumes of existing trailsbridge and of type habitat and soil conditions, grades, on dependent Costs cover inline-item marking; signage To separate and cost gate access signage markings, and Includes sand, added Dependent construction design on and Dependent size on design and withinstallation stations for 15 Cost Include relocation laborMPRB by storage; of boat reconstruction on south side side of the lagoon reconstruction south on Includes bikeconnection from Community Woodlawn, to Center Street 54th sidewalkat and Streets, 55th and 52nd at connections Triangle Main fromto Beach Park, 50th coordinationwith of Mpls City Assumes and building on dependent constructionMaximumplans, design, Cost; timing. (Maximum cost estimate) Cost Total $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $28,000 $50,000 $92,000 $90,000 $80,000 $60,000 $24,000 $30,000 $25,000 $30,000 $12,500 $15,000 $84,000 $70,000 $26,000 $600,000 $170,000 $104,000 $120,000 $350,000 $500,000 $500,000 $185,000 $100,000 $880,000 $200,000 $785,000 $180,000 $675,000 $150,000 $300,000 $250,000 $150,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $2,800,000 $18,735,500 LONG LONG SHORT SHORT SHORT SHORT SHORT SHORT SHORT SHORT SHORT SHORT SHORT SHORT capital capital capital capital capital capital MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM MEDIUM ONGOING ONGOING ONGOING ONGOING ONGOING ONGOING Preferred DEPENDENT DEPENDENT DEPENDENT DEPENDENT DEPENDENT DEPENDENT Prioritization SHORT: major SHORT: major SHORT: major SHORT: major SHORT: major SHORT: major Framework/Activity Area Framework/Activity Lake Hiawatha Nokomis MainNokomis Beach Lake Hiawatha Nokomis CommunityNokomis Center Lake Hiawatha Nokomis MainNokomis Beach Circulation Nokomis CommunityNokomis Center Nokomis MainNokomis Beach Circulation Nokomis MainNokomis Beach Natural Resources Nokomis MainNokomis Beach Circulation Nokomis MainNokomis Beach Nokomis MainNokomis Beach Recreation Lake Hiawatha Nokomis CommunityNokomis Center Recreation Nokomis CommunityNokomis Center Nokomis MainNokomis Beach Recreation Recreation Crossings Avenue Cedar Nokomis CommunityNokomis Center CommunityNokomis Center Natural Resources Recreation Recreation Cedar Avenue Crossings Avenue Cedar Circulation CommunityNokomis Center Nokomis CommunityNokomis Center Circulation Natural Resources Circulation MainNokomis Beach Crossings Avenue Cedar Nokomis CommunityNokomis Center Implementation Prioritization and Cost Estimates and Prioritization Implementation Project Improvement Total New ped-onlyNew bridge over Minnehaha Creek New beach house at Nokomis main Nokomis at beach New house Reconfigure trails reduce to conflicts creek at bridge Upgraded tennis/pickleball courts Replacement boardwalk, beachwith nature, of Hiawatha launch new boat pavilion, and Upgrade revise and arrangement of athletic fields Pedestrian-only loopLake around lagoonNokomis Expand Nokomis ExpandCommunity Nokomis Center building Revise pathway system near main Nokomis system beachRevise pathway Additional neighborhood connections Reconfigure existing parking main Nokomis at beach Revised ped/biketrail bridge routing Avenue Cedar to Crossings Avenue Cedar Re-meander Minnehaha Creek Add parking west of Nokomis Parkwayparkingof Nokomis near athleticAdd west fields Additional gates forAdditional golf gates winter to course access Add 3 sand volleyball sand 3 near Main courts Nokomis Beach Add Provide near main and Nokomis on beachshade Improved picnicadditional and shelters grounds Ped/bikeAvenue trails under 28th New skate park skate New Additional restroom enclosures relocated storage northend launchboat to and Canoe/kayak New amphitheaterNew Accessible water access at Nokomis main Nokomis at beachAccessible water access Additional drinking fountains Enhance the arboretum with signage under Bridge Cedar Pedestrian paths New playgroundNew near Community Nokomis Center parking Center ExpandNokomis lot Naturalized shorelines RemovalWalk of Art Refurbished vita-course Enhanced crossings of Cedar Ave at Nokomis/Edgewater, Nokomis/Edgewater, at Ave Enhanced of Cedar crossings Minnehaha Parkway Street, 50th Street, Nokomis/52nd Ped/bike golftrails Hiawatha around course overflow Convert parking picnic to area Revisereduce trails to ped/bike/vehicle conflict Nokomis-Hiawatha RegionalNokomis-Hiawatha Park PlanMaster Repair degraded paths of lawnhabitat to Conversion trail LakeSeasonal around Hiawatha of lake mainExpandNokomis relocate north beachand to rental vendor Dedicated Bridge bikeway Cedar on NOTE: Estimates based on 2014 Dollars; costs are subject to change as project plans and designs are finalized at time of implementation of time at finalized are designs and plans project as change to subject are costs Dollars; on2014 based Estimates NOTE: implementation. for agencies other with oncoordination rely projects "Dependent" NOTE:
PAGE 49 NOKOMIS-HIAWATHA REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN: MARCH 2015. Estimated Operations and Maintenance Costs Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park is maintained and operated by the MPRB. The existing MPRB budget therefore supplies equipment and staffing resources required to maintain and operate the park year-round. Annual operations, maintenance, and public safety costs are funded through the MPRB’s budget and Metropolitan Council’s operations and maintenance funds, as funding allows. The budget is administered by the MPRB’s Superintendent and approved by the Board of Commissioners.
Some of the recommended improvements, such as reconstruction of trails, will reduce some of the maintenance costs in the near-term for ongoing repairs. Other improvements, such as the significant increase in naturalized plantings, will require a revision in maintenance regimes that are not currently staffed. As implementation of these plantings is realized over time, alterations to staffing and funding will be considered in order to accommodate the maintenance of newer features. Concerns about invasive species, both aquatic and terrestrial, could lead to increased costs for prevention, removal, and/ or management. Some park improvements, especially those addressing stormwater, are typically funded and maintained in collaboration with partners, such as City of Minneapolis and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Funding Sources Development of Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park involves a number of partners. Partners already contributing to native plantings, park development, and water quality improvements include the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, City of Minneapolis, and citizen volunteers.
The estimated costs shown reflect the cost to MPRB if no outside funding is available. Projects within Nokomis-Hiawatha Regional Park are likely to be implemented with a variety of funding sources, both MPRB and outside. MPRB will actively seek grants, collaborative funding agreements, donations, volunteer projects, and multi-agency projects to reduce the total cost to the MPRB. This Master Plan sets forth an aggressive vision for the park over the next 25 years and opens doors to a greater variety of funding options. Implementation will require continued community advocacy and outside money.
Wading in the water at Lake Hiawatha
Section 6: Implementation PAGE 50