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Last
updated: Aug 21, 2012
Be sure and join the celebration at the Minneapolis Monarch festival on September 8, 2012
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Lake
Nokomis Area
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Lake
Nokomis
2401
E. Minnehaha Parkway (Nokomis Community Center)
Minneapolis, MN 55417 ( map)
Phone: (612) 370-4923
Fax: (612) 724-9827
Field reservations ( 612)
230-6491
Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., year-round
Lake
Nokomis is one of 3 sailing lakes (Harriet, Calhoun & Nokomis)
in the Minneapolis park system and offers an enjoyable
recreational opportunity. There are 2 supervised
beaches at Lake Nokomis. City residents
can access sailbuoys and launch their canoes and
boats from the west-side public
boat launch. Sailboat races are a weekend event
throughout the warmer months. During the summer months, bicycle,
canoe and paddle boat rentals are available through Wheel
Fun Rentals at the main beach.
 New invasive species inspection regulations and hours in place for boat, kayak and canoe launching
Lake
Nokomis is home to the Minneapolis Monarch Festival, a September celebration of the State's official butterfly and its 2300 mile migration to the mountains of central Mexico. In January, the lake is home to the US
Pond Hockey championships, drawing teams
from all over he nation and a few from other countries
as well.
Nokomis
has 210 acres of water and 195 acres of land. In
1907, when the MPRB acquired Lake Nokomis, the lake
was more of a swamp and pond, no more than 5 feet
deep. The lake was dredged and turned into a fine
lake. The lake was originally named Lake Amelia in
honor of the Captain George Gooding’s daughter,
Amelia, in 1819. Its current name was adopted in
1910 and done so to honor Nokomis, grandmother of
Hiawatha (legendary Indian hero of Longfellow’s
poem, 'Song of Hiawatha'). Download a history
of the lake's landscape (195 KB PDF)
The
original Lake Nokomis Bathhouse at
the main beach was built in 1919, demolished in 1966
and rebuilt in 1967. The community
center was built on top of the hill on the
north side of the park in 1975. Read more in MPRB's History of Lake Nokomis.
Lake
Nokomis Park's 407 acres includes the lake, the Nokomis Naturescape
Gardens, wetlands and holding ponds, the
Nokomis community center, two beaches, sailboat mooring,
canoe racks, concessions, pathways and ball diamonds.
The lake's walking path is 2.78 miles long.
Amenities:
Baseball, softball, soccer and football fields,
tennis courts, biking path, boat dock and launch, broomball
rink, drinking fountain, fishing docks (2), ice rink,
Naturescape Gardens, free parking on Parkway, pay parking
lot at Main Beach, picnic tables and shelters, refectory/concessions,
restroom facilities, tot lLot/playground, walking path,
wells. Ball
field reservation info. Aerial
photo of ball fields showing field numbers.
Fishing
in Lake Nokomis
Lake Nokomis contains an abundant population of fish.
There are fishing docks at the north and east
side of the lake, and fishing "piers" on
the Cedar Ave. bridge. The lake's main fish populations:
walleye, tiger muskies, largemouth bass, pumpkinseeds,
bluegills, crappies, yellow perch, black and yellow
bullhead and common carp. Visit the Mn.
DNR's Lake Nokomis web page for more information.
Note: While there is a public boat ramp on the
west side of the lake, there are no gasoline-powered
motors allowed on any of the Minneapolis lakes.
Download
the lake's depth map here.
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Lake
Nokomis Main Beach
4955 West
Nokomis Pkwy (West side of lake)
Minneapolis, MN 55417 (map)
Phone: 612 230-6400
Fax: 612 230-6500
2012 Hours: Lifeguards will be on duty at this beach from 11am - 7pm, Thursdays - Sundays
Beach
status
Amenities:
Swimming beach, Biking path, Drinking fountain, Pay
Parking Lot, Picnic Area, Refectory/Concessions,
Restroom Facilities, Tot Lot/Playground, Walking
Path.
During
the summer months, bicycle, canoe and paddle boat
rentals are available through Wheel
Fun Rentals.
Fine
print:
"The Minneapolis Park & Recreation
Board operates several beaches with lifeguard service
for your enjoyment. The season dates and lifeguard
service are dependent upon availability of staff and
based on the weather."
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Lake
Nokomis 50th Street Beach, "Little Beach"
5001 East Nokomis
Parkway (Northeast side of lake)
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Phone: 612 230-6400
Fax: 612 230-6500
2012 Hours: Lifeguards will be on duty at this beach from 11am - 7pm, Thursdays - Sundays
Beach
status
Amenities:
Swimming Beach, Floating swim dock, Lifeguard, Biking Path, Walking Path,
Porta-Potties
Fine
Print:
"The Minneapolis Park & Recreation
Board operates several beaches with lifeguard service
for your enjoyment. The season dates and lifeguard
service are dependent upon availability of staff and
based on the weather."
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Lake
Nokomis Community Center
2401 E. Minnehaha
Parkway (map)
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Phone: 612 370-4923
Fax: 612 724-9827
nokomis@minneapolisparks.org
Website
Nokomis
Community Center and Park is a year-round recreation
center in the Minneapolis park system. A full menu
of program services designed to meet the recreational
needs of all age groups is offered at the park. These
programs include supervised athletics, cultural & fine
arts, social interaction groups, music & dance,
environmental programs, and community celebrations. Summer
programs page
Nokomis
Community Center has a number of rooms that community
residents can use for meetings, a lounge, arts and
crafts room, kitchens, office, gym and several activity
rooms. Many people rent out the multi-purpose room
for special events (wedding receptions, etc) as this
room offers a very picturesque view of the lake.
Nokomis East holds its highly popular annual "Night
Before New Year's Eve" party at the Center
in conjunction with the Center's staff.
The
13,700 square foot community center was built in
1975. In 1995, a new tot lot was added and the pathways
were redone. In 2006, new playground equipment and
picnic shelters were added.
Amenities:
Gymnasium, Multipurpose Room, Two Kitchens, Meeting
Rooms, Restroom Facilities
2012
Summer Hours:
Summer (Memorial-Labor Day): Mon-Thur 12-9 pm; Fri 12-6 pm; Sat 11 am-6 pm; Sun 12-4 pm
Parking:
There is free parking in adjacent parking bays. A
free overflow lot is located just east of the Center.
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Lake
Nokomis Naturescape
Located
on the northeast shore of Lake Nokomis
at the intersection of Woodlawn Boulevard, East 50th
Street and East Lake Nokomis Parkway
(Near 50th Street Beach)
Website
The
Nokomis East Neighborhood Association's Environmental
Committee members along with the Minneapolis Park
and Recreation Board first installed these native
plant gardens in 1998. They have become a continually
eveolving project for volunteer gardeners.
A
variety of native wildflowers and grasses are featured
in these gardens. Signs identify the names of the
native plants. Come find out how native wildflowers
and grasses can create a soothing landscape.
Volunteer
gardeners welcome! If you want to join the Nokomis
Naturescape Volunteers, please call the Nokomis East
Neighborhood Association (NENA) at 612-724-5652.
Amenities:
Swimming beach, Biking path, Walking Path
Parking:
There is free parking in adjacent parking bays. From
May 1 to October 31 visitors must pay $1 to park
in the regional parking lots.
Map
Location
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of page
 Return
to Parks & Recreation Index Page |
Lake
Nokomis
Area |
Lake
Nokomis Overview, Nokomis Main Beach, Nokomis 50th St Beach, Nokomis Community Center, Naturescape / Wetlands |
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Minnehaha
Park
& Falls Area |
Minnehaha
Falls Park Overview, Minnehaha
Pavilion, John H. Stevens House, Longfellow Gardens, Longfellow House, Princess Depot, Pergola Gardens, Off-Leash Dog Rec Area, Camp Coldwater Springs, National Grand Rounds, Wabun Picnic Area, Lock & Dam |
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| Other
Nokomis Area Recreation & Parks |
Bossen
Park & Fields, Ed Solomon Park, Hiawatha
Golf Course, Keewaydin Park, Morris Park & skate park, Bicycling, Fort Snelling State Park, Lock
and Dam #1 (Ford Dam), Mn
Valley National Wildlife Refuge |
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