This article was written by Jeannette Lutter-Gardella, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Kroening nature Center Outdoor Educator
The month of June affords Minnesotans the long-awaited opportunity for water recreation. With the first day of summer around the corner, we can expect crowds to appear at our lakes and rivers across the city. The splash pad at North Mississippi Regional Park will open and be ready for water play all summer. With so many people using water for recreation it’s important to think about how we can protect the quality of our water.
Did you know 60 percent of water pollution comes from individual households? Unlike the sewer system, everything on the ground eventually washes into storm drains, which flows untreated directly into lakes and rivers. An easy first step is maintaining a storm drain near your home or street. The City of Minneapolis has an Adopt-a-Drain Program. The adoption process is easy and quick, and you will be able to adopt or un-adopt storm drains instantly. Visit the website to create a user profile and password: Adopt-A-Drain.org/.
Another important step to take is to pick up after our dogs. Did you know that more than 100,000 dogs reside within Minneapolis? This population of dogs is estimated to create 41,000 pounds of solid waste every day. To help ensure clean water and reduce the amount of pollution within the City, the Environmental Operations division of the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board (MPRB) launched the program “Canines for Clean Water” to encourage dog owners to do their part in keeping water resources safe for drinking and swimming. To learn more visit minneapolisparks.org/dogs. Dog waste has been declared a “nonpoint source of pollution” (NPS) by the Environmental Protection Agency. NPS refers to contaminants that pollute watersheds and water bodies through indirect means, e.g., rainwater, snowmelt and soil erosion. That puts dog poop in the same category as oil and toxic chemicals. Improperly disposed pet waste can also make water unsafe for swimming. Dog poop contains millions of E. coli bacteria that can quickly make people sick.
Contaminated water is a public health concern. During summer the primary reason for beach closure is high levels of E. coli in the water. The MPRB monitors water quality weekly at swimming beaches (beach status hotline: 612-313-7713). Sources of E. coli in lake water include: organic debris and polluted storm water runoff, leaking diapers as well as wild and domestic animal waste. Since rain events increase the amount of water entering storm drains these bacteria tend to spike after a storm. It is recommended to wait 24 hours after a storm before swimming at the beaches. When swimming at beaches make sure young children wear swim diapers. To keep our lakes and river clean, whether on a walk or in your own yard, throw pet waste into the trash.
Looking to get out on the water? Try kayaking on the Mississippi through the Paddleshare program, which launches from North Mississippi Regional Park. Visit Kroening Nature Center to learn about the plants and animals that live along the river and see how many you can spot yourself.
June free public programs (all ages)
Get Outdoors Day Sat. June 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Discover new ways to enjoy the outdoors by trying orienteering, bird watching, fort building, or hike in search of animal tracks to decipher the story they tell. Activity #127046.
Field Day: Healthy Habitats · Thurs. June 16, 1-3 p.m. Find out how habitats provide for the animals that live in them and learn ways we can protect the homes of our animal friends. Activity #127044.
Noticing Nature Hike · Thurs. June 16, 7-8 p.m. Tap into your senses as you explore the park with a naturalist guide. Reset your mind and body, tune in to the rhythm of the season, and practice noticing nature. Activity #12709.
Hike: Pollinators in the Prairie · Sat. June 18, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Join a naturalist on a hike through the prairie to look for pollinators and get ready for national pollinators week! Activity #127047.
Fishing in the Neighborhood -Tues. June 21 – 1:30-3:30 p.m. or 4-6 p.m. Join the DNR for a fishing clinic! Anyone interested welcome to learn about the sport of fishing. Activity #133633 or #133639.
Bird Watching: Summer Songbirds · Sat. June 25, 9-10:30 a.m. Get up with the morning birds to discover what birds are here this summer season. Binoculars available. Activity #127031.
For more info or to register for programs at North Mississippi visit minneapolisparks.org and like us on Facebook to stay in the loop about what’s happening in our park!