Survey + Open House: Boat Launch & Sailing Center Relocation
From the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB):
Three opportunities to provide input on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board's proposed changes to the Bde Maka Ska-Lake Harriet Long Range Plan!
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation (MPRB) is beginning a Community Engagement process to amend the Bde Maka Ska-Lake Harriet Long-Range Plan.
MPRB commissioners are considering an amendment to the long-range vision plan for Bde Maka Ska that proposes preserving the boat launch and renovating and expanding the sailing center in their existing locations in the NE corner of the park. This amendment is proposed following a 2025 study that found that it was too expensive to build on the northwest shore due to pool soil quality and cost of the parkway alignment.
We are asking for feedback from the public to learn about:
In the northeast corner: What amenities, if any, should be proposed here
In the northwest corner: Exploring renovation and expansion of the Sailing Center Facility in its current location, the northeast part of the lake
Addressing congestion and safety in the area near the Sailing Center
Provide input via survey
Learn more about the Bde Maka Ska-Lake Harriet Long-Range Plan and provide input via survey.
Attend an upcoming Open House
Two upcoming Open Houses focus on different areas of the lakeshore.
Northeast Area Open House
Wednesday, July 29, 4-6 pm
Location: Minneapolis Sailing Center, 3010 E Bde Maka Ska Pkwy
Northwest Area Open HouseThursday, August 6, 4-6 pm
Location: 3200 W Bde Maka Ska Pkwy (north of the intersection of W 32nd St and W Bde Maka Ska Pkwy)
The MPRB understands that the area around the Sailing Center is busy and often congested with both vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Temporary safety improvements, including traffic control and monitoring, started in summer 2026.
Project History
2017: The Bde Maka Ska-Lake Harriet Plan was approved in 2017, which included a proposal to relocate the boat launch and Sailing Center to reduce congestion at the bustling northeast corner of the lake.
2019: A fire damaged the Bde Maka Ska Pavilion and the building is demolished.
2023: MPRB opens the new Bde Maka Ska Pavilion, addressing some of the key aspects of the long-range plan, including new restrooms and a parkway drop-off zone. The project also repaved the boat launch and shortened the trail crossing distance at the boat launch entry drive.
2025: MPRB conducted a study that explored relocating the boat launch and sailing center to an open area at the northwest shore of the lake. The study found that it was too expensive to build on the northwest shore due to pool soil quality and cost of the parkway alignment.
2026: MPRB is proposing to keep and expand the sailing center in its northeast location. Because of this, staff are addressing congestion and safety issues.