Lake Harriet (Minnesota)
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| Lake Harriet | |
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| File:Harrietbandshell.jpg
Bandshell at Lake Harriet, 2006
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| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 335 acres (1.36 km2) |
| Max. depth | 85 feet (26 m) |
Lake Harriet is a lake in the southwest part of Minneapolis, just south of Lake Calhoun and north of Minnehaha Creek. The lake is surrounded by parkland as part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes. The lake has an area of 335 acres (1.36 km2) and a maximum depth of 85 feet (26 m).
Lake Harriet is very popular for recreation. It offers sailing, two beaches, and a system of bike and pedestrian trails (about 3.05 miles (4.91 km) for the bike trail and 2.95 miles (4.75 km) for the pedestrian trail). The trail and parkway system, part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, connects with Lake Calhoun on the north end via William Berry Parkway and with the Minnehaha Creek trail system on the southeast corner. The north end of the lake also offers a bandshell, which is used in the summer months for concerts, and a refreshment stand. A preserved section of the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line runs between Lake Calhoun and the west side of Lake Harriet. It is a popular spot for Ingress Players and Geocachers.
History
Lake Harriet is named for Harriet Lovejoy, who lived with her husband Colonel Henry Leavenworth[1] at Fort Snelling. The two came to the area in 1819. The lake and surrounding land was last owned by Colonel William S. King who donated the land to Minneapolis in 1885.
The lake was called "Mde Unma," meaning "other lake" by the local Dakota people.[2]
The Bandshell
Every summer, Lake Harriet is host to many concerts in its castle-shaped Bandshell. Music has been a part of the lake since the first pavilion was built on the property of Thomas Lowry in 1888. The bandshell stood on the edge of Lake Harriet until 1891 when it was destroyed by fire. After the fire, Minneapolis hired Architect Harry Jones to design the next bandshell. The ‘Pagoda Pavilion’ overlooked the lake until 1903 when it was destroyed by fire. Another Bandshell, again designed by Harry Jones was built in 1904 but was destroyed on July 8, 1925 in a windstorm. A new bandshell was erected in 1927 and remained until 1985 when the modern bandshell was built.
The picture above at left shows the current bandshell in blue, but in 2004 developer Mark McGowan organized an all-volunteer completely free restoration of the buildings. To complete the free restoration, McGowan obtained $650,000 in donated labor and materials from local and national companies. Through these efforts, the bandshell, refectory and sailing club have been repaired and repainted to a light brown color, shown above right. To celebrate the free restoration, an all-day music festival, called "Lake Harriet Live!, was held September 19, 2004.
During the fall of 2006, construction of a new patio and picnic shelter built to match the design of the original buildings was begun next to the concessions. Construction of the new building and picnic area have been completed.
Other features
The lake is in a direct line with two of the main runways at the Minneapolis—Saint Paul International Airport, and airplanes are frequently seen flying overhead.
On the walking path near where Queen Avenue T's into the perimeter drive around the lake, there is an "elf house" carved into the base of an ash tree. For several years, one could leave a letter for the elf supposedly living there and find a letter in reply sometime in the next few days. During the winter season, the elf door is shut and a plank appears stating he has "moved to his castle in the east." It reopens around springtime.
Other parkland near the lake includes a picnic ground just north of the bandshell, Lyndale Park, and the Thomas Sadler Roberts bird sanctuary on the northeast corner of the lake. Located adjacent to the bird sanctuary is the tranquil Peace Garden, and across the street is a large garden featuring many varieties of roses. Lakewood Cemetery is located between the southeast corner of Lake Calhoun and the north shoreline of Lake Harriet.
Located just 2 blocks West is the quaint shopping district of Linden Hills, often referred to as "a small town in the City".[citation needed]
Fish
The lake contains black crappie, bluegill, golden shiner, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.[3] Some fish consumption guideline restrictions have been placed on the lake's bluegill, carp, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, white sucker, and yellow perch due to mercury and/or PFOS contamination.[3] In 1998 a six foot 105 pound female lake sturgeon was found washed ashore on the lake. Sturgeon were thought to no longer exist in the lake.[4][5]
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.citypages.com/bestof/2000/award/best-surprise-appearance-of-unlikely-fauna-3375/
- ↑ http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/young_naturalists/monsters/index.html
