 |
Last
updated: February 29, 2008
Lake Nokomis Area |
|
 Nokomis
Main Beach and Nokomis 50th Street beaches
are closed. A porta-potty was overturned by vandals
at the Main Beach. The effluent made
its way into a storm sewer that is connected
to the lake. As a precautionary measure,
the Park Board has closed both beaches
until water quality testing shows that bacteria
levels are at an acceptable level. (7/21/08)
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.
Lake
Nokomis is home to the US
Pond Hockey championships, drawing teams from all
over the 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.
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.
 Top of page
Lake Nokomis Main Beach
4955 West Nokomis Pkwy (West side of lake)
Minneapolis, MN 55417 (map)
Phone: 612 230-6400
Fax: 612 230-6500
2007 Hours: Lifeguards on duty, noon - 8pm, 7 days/week, June 9 - August 26
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."
Top of page
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
2007 Hours: Lifeguards are on duty from noon-8 pm, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, June 9-August 26.
Beach status
Amenities: Swimming Beach, 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."
Top of page
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
2007 Hours:
Monday-Friday Noon-9:30 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Closed Sundays
Parking: There is free parking in adjacent parking bays. A free overflow lot is located just east of the Center.
Top of page
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
Top 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 |
|
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 |
|
| 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 |
Top of page
|
|
|
