Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board announces Lake Harriet Parkway and Lake Nokomis Parkway closures to help trail users maintain social distancing

Posted on 27 March, 2020

Lake Harriet Parkway closed except one-lane openings in short sections on the south and west sides of the lake to maintain residential access; Lake Nokomis Parkway closed east of Cedar Avenue.

 

In coordination with Gov. Walz’ Emergency Executive Order 20-20 Directing Minnesotans to Stay at Home, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) President Jono Cowgill announced additional parkway closures to allow more space for trail users to follow social distancing practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Map showing parkway closures to motorized traffic around Lake Harriet

Lake Harriet Parkway will be open for pedestrians on Saturday morning, March 28. The Lake Harriet Parkway closure will begin at 5 pm today, Friday, March 27 and will close completely when all vehicles have exited the parking lot and parking bays.

Map of Lake Harriet Parkway Closure [PDF]

 

Map showing parkway closures to motorized traffic at Lake Nokomis

Lake Nokomis Parkway will be open for pedestrians on Tuesday, March 31.  The Lake Nokomis Parkway closure will begin at 5 pm, Monday, March 30. One lane will remain open for one-way traffic east of Cedar Avenue.

Map of Lake Nokomis Parkway Closure [PDF]

The closures will remain in place until the end of the Emergency Executive Order on Friday, April 10, 2020 at 5 pm. Update: The Stay at Home Executive Order was extended to May 4, 2020, so the parkway closures will remain in place until then.

Once the closures go into effect:

  • Parkway roads will be dedicated to two-way pedestrian traffic.
  • Walking paths will be dedicated to two-way pedestrian traffic.
  • Bike paths will remain bike paths in their current direction, if applicable.

Exceptions and Conditions

  • Emergency vehicles will be allowed on closed sections of parkways and streets at all times.
  • Service, delivery and sanitation vehicles will be allowed on closed sections of parkways and streets as part of their regular operations. Vehicle drivers will be required to move and replace barricades.
  • Driving lane(s) and parking bays will be closed except where needed for property access.

Social Distancing

The Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control offer the following guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19:

  • Do not use parks if you feel sick or have symptoms, including fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat.
  • Cover your cough with your elbow, don’t cough into your hands.
  • Wash your hands immediately before and after visiting a park or trail.
  • Maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other people that are not a part of your household.

Stay Updated

Visit minneapolisparks.org/coronavirus for parkway closure updates and other MPRB FAQs, including facility closings and activity cancellations. Receive timely email updates by visiting minneapolisparks.org/subscribe, entering your email and selecting the “COVID-19” topic in the “News Updates” section.