Construction On New Bde Maka Ska Concessions Pavilion Area Begins – Minneapolis, MN

Construction On New Bde Maka Ska Concessions Pavilion Area Begins – Minneapolis, MN

This image is an illustration of the final design of the pavilion area, created by project architect @cuninghamcreates.

Minneapolis Parks: Construction on a new concessions pavilion area at Bde Maka Ska begins next week! The project will create two new buildings, including new, all-gender accessible restrooms and ample outdoor public seating to replace the building that burned down in 2019.

Work will start Monday, May 23 at the site of the former pavilion and continue throughout the year. The new buildings are scheduled to open next summer. Please stay away from construction areas and follow all onsite signs.

The boat launch next to the construction site will be closed June 6-September 16. No trailered boats will be allowed on or off the lake during this time period. The boat launch is currently open every day 6 am-10 pm through May 30, then 2-8 pm May 31-June 5.

@sailmpls and @wfrminnesota will remain open this season.

About

The former Bde Maka Ska concessions pavilion, also called a “refectory,” was built in 1930 and was operated seasonally until it burned down in 2019. The site was paved over to provide a temporary gathering space at the popular northeastern corner of the lake and utilities were repaired to allow vendors to continue operating.

The Bde Maka Ska-Harriet Master Plan, approved in 2017, provided guidance for the pavilion site improvements. The new pavilion concept was designed by a team led by Cuningham after working with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board staff and numerous stakeholders. MPRB Commissioners approved the project’s concept design in May 2021 and a construction contract was awarded in May 2022.

ICYMI

15 Essential Twin Cities Brunches

MPR: For Kate Beane, the Stories of Indigenous Communities In and Around the Twin Cities are Personal

MPR: For Kate Beane, the Stories of Indigenous Communities In and Around the Twin Cities are Personal

Photo by Evan Frost @efrostee MPR News
They are the stories of her family. Kate Beane is a public historian who holds a doctoral degree in American Studies. She and her twin sister, Carly Bad Heart Bull, didn’t grow up in Minnesota but moved back with their family to have the opportunity to study the Dakota language. Beane can trace their ancestry back to Ḣeyate Otuŋwe or Village to The Side, a community along the shore of Bde Maka Ska.

In discovering this history of her family, she also learned not to take no for an answer. Along with her sister and father, they created a path to restoring the lake to its original Dakota name despite community backlash and legal challenges.

“We were told there was no process. We were told that it was something that couldn’t be done,” Beane said. “When we started looking at this space, in particular, we realized that this is the place that made us successful — because we, as young Native women, took control of our own narrative of our own story and our own education. And we were empowered by the stories of our grandparents here.”

Throughout November, MPR News is featuring Indigenous Minnesotans making history to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
Learn more about Kate Beane and other Changemakers at mprnews.org.

Image Graphic Facebook: Ainab Mniciya

mprnews

error: Content is protected !!

Pin It on Pinterest