Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan nearly finished

Today, 10% of the Nokomis-Hiawatha Park is natural and the rest is turf grass. Someday, it will be 50% natural, according to the newly created Nokomis-Hiawatha Park Master Plan.

The change won’t happen right away, but will occur gradually over the next 25 years.

“The community and the Community Advisory Council (CAC) have supported a significant increase in restored habitat in the park,” noted Adam Arvidson of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB). “The master plan deliberately places turf areas in certain locations and envisions the restoration of the remainder of the park to landscapes such as savanna, wet meadow, short-grass prairie, and wetlands.”

What are the benefits of a more natural shoreline? “This will provide broader habitat options for plants and animals, and will help improve water quality in both lakes,” stated Arvidson.

The master plan is currently in the middle of a 45-day public review and comment period that will close on Dec. 22. View the plan online on the Nokomis-Hiawatha Project webpage, or at the Nokomis Community Center, Hiawatha Community Center or Nokomis Library.

This is the first master plan for the park since Theodore Wirth created one in 1934.

Arvidson pointed out that community members have been heavily invested in this planning process. The survey got nearly 1,000 responses, and there were about 20 people at every CAC meeting and 60 people attended each open house. “These are very big numbers for park planning projects,” observed Arvidson.

“It is a testament to the importance of this park to the community. And I can assure you that the ideas in the master plan represent the desires of the community. Of course there are things that individuals might disagree with, but on the whole, this plan is driven by that groundswell of participation by the park’s neighbors.”

Highlights of the plan   

Highlights of the master plan include:

• Pedestrian and bike trails around Hiawatha Golf Course, allowing for a full Grand Rounds experience around the northern half of the park

• A winter-only trail on the shore of Lake Hiawatha (in the golf course), and additional gates in the golf course fence to increase winter accessibility.

• A new vision for the eastern shore of Lake Hiawatha focused on nature-based recreation, scenic views, and boating. The beach will be removed within 6-12 years to make way for a boardwalk, over-water pavilion, and canoe/kayak launch. “Per this plan, the beach would not be removed without these other amenities replacing it,” stressed Arvidson.

• Improved trail circulation throughout the park, including improved crossings of Cedar Ave., additional trails by the Nokomis lagoon, and additional connections between the park and the neighborhood.

• A redesigned Nokomis Main Beach area with an expanded swimming area, additional parking and (eventually) a new beach house.

The CAC refrained from deciding how to reconfigure the athletic fields, but instead agreed to have that decision made when the work is done within 6-12 years.

The location for the skate park will be on the north side of Lake Nokomis, near the recreation center.

The parks department is about to begin a study of all of its recreation centers, and this study will determine what changes will be made at the Nokomis Community Center. Suggestions had been made to expand it and possibly add a track.

Minnehaha Creek will likely be re-meandered, but this project will be led by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD) in close collaboration with the parks board. Funding would have to come from MCWD in order for this to move forward.

What will happen in the short term?

The CAC assigned priority levels to each project, ranging from short term (within 6 years), medium (6-12 years) and long (12 years or more) term.

Many of the short-term projects will offer trail experiences that knit the park together. Roadway crossings will be enhanced to designate separate spaces for walkers and bikers. More portable restrooms will be added, particularly on the south side of Lake Nokomis.

On the list of short-term projects are:

• New playground near Nokomis Community Center, $150,000

• Refurbishing the vita-course, $150,000

• Pedestrian-only bridge over Minnehaha Creek, $300,000

• Pedestrian-only loop around Nokomis lagoon, $92,000

• Removal of the Art Walk, $5,000

• Beach improvements (including shade awnings), $174,000

• Pedestrian/bike trails around Hiawatha Golf Course, $585,000

• Additional trail connections, $72,000

What's next?

The MPRB Planning Committee will hold a public hearing on the plan in January 2015. After MPRB approval, it will go before the Metropolitan Council, which will likely take place in March or April of next year.