Date: Monday, July 6
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Harrison Park Recreation Center
Address: 503 Irving Ave N
url: http://www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=52&prid=971
Construction could begin fall 2009
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) developed a Master Plan for improvements at Theodore Wirth Park in 1980. In 2002, the MPRB convened an appointed Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) to further refine improvements for the Beach Area of the park. That schematic plan was approved by the Board of Commissioners in 2003.
The schematic plan has been recently updated to reflect current and new uses of the site and influences of the 2007 MPRB Comprehensive Plan for the entire organization. Park staff will share the updated Schematic Plan at an Informational Open House scheduled for:
Monday – July 6, 2009
6:30 pm at the Harrison Park Recreation Center
503 Irving Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55405The design incorporates an exciting new playground with a theme based on the Aqua Follies for older children, and a boat themed structure for younger children. The playground will be located where the four volleyball courts are currently sited. The existing volleyball courts will be moved to the west side of the Beach House building and will preserve the current four sand courts. This move is the most significant change to the schematic plan and reflects the strong usage of the sand volleyball courts, which gained increased popularity from last summer’s Olympics.
A concrete terrace will overlook the beach on the volleyball side of the building. The building edges will be softened by removing some of the attached walkways and replacing them with lawn and planting beds. A new half basketball court will offer variety for family gatherings on the east edge of the site. Picnic areas and re-aligned trails are also planned. The trail which has been submerged by an expanding wetland will be brought closer to the lake and cross the wetland outlet via a bridge. The last exciting feature will be a 400-foot long floating boardwalk, encircling the swimming area. The boardwalk will allow strolling as well as access into the water, like the floating platforms of years past.
Funding for the improvements is from the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission and the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota. Construction on the Wirth Beach Site Improvements could begin as early as this fall following approval of construction contracts in an August meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
Additional phases of work are planned for the larger central Wirth area in 2010 and 2011 again with funding from Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission and the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota.
Please click on the link below for an image of the current Beach Area Improvement Plan
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Related File:
Current Beach Area Plan
CONTACT:
Andrea Weber, Landscape Architect and Project Manager
612-230-6466
aweber@minneapolisparks.org
Emily Ero-Phillips, River District Planner
612-230-6468
eero-phillips@minneapolisparks.org
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