Lake Nokomis Shoreline Enhancements for Turtles and Pollinators, Phase 2

In 2020, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) completed a project that restored approximately 4500 linear feet of shoreline around Lake Nokomis, a large recreational lake in south Minneapolis. That project re-graded eroded banks, removed some hard armored shoreline, eliminated invasive species, and planted acres of native upland and emergent plants. Though still early in its life, this restoration project is already well loved by the community and has introduced key native species beneficial to pollinators. Plants like butterfly and whorled milkweed, yarrow, and purple coneflower now attract warblers, monarchs, and other pollinators to a landscape that was formerly mown turf. Designated fishing access points allow for public recreation that minimizes erosion and coexists with the habitat benefits.

Despite these benefits, however, the Phase One LSOHC-funded project only restored approximately one-third of the lakeshore. The remaining shoreline is heavily hard-armored, with lawn reaching right up to the shoreline and lake reaching around behind failed stone walls. The potential is here to continue building on the Phase One work with a similar approximately 4,000 linear foot Phase Two project that would restore an additional 30% of the lakeshore, bringing the total restored lakeshore to approximately 65%. In addition to the re-grading, planting, and shore access points that were part of Phase One, the Phase Two project will also focus on the needs of several species of native turtles. The project will incorporate protected sandy nesting areas that appeal to softshell species, and will include amenities for basking turtles, such as low rocks and dead snags in the water.

According to the original land survey map of Hennepin County prior to the development of the Minneapolis, Lake Nokomis was originally a shallow lake. It was likely full of emergent vegetation and was an effective spawning ground for fish and nesting area for turtles. Dredging in the early 1900's disturbed Nokomis's littoral habitat. The concurrent construction of the storm sewer conveyance system added nutrients and sediment to the lake and nearby Minnehaha Creek. Park development removed native vegetation in favor of lawn. In 2016 MPRB adopted a Master Plan for Lake Nokomis that envisions conversion of the park area to 50% native landscape (up from about 10% of the park today). The lakeshore is a key piece of that. Through the Master Plan and on the heels of the successful Phase One project, the public strongly supports more naturalization and more habitat.

Put most simply, this project would fully convert an urban, lawn-dominated, hard-armored lakeshore into a restored ecosystem of prairie and aquatic plants with ample habitat opportunities for birds, insects, and nesting turtles.