July 14, 2005: Lake Hiawatha/Lake Nokomis Hike (Minneapolis)

Join Bonnie Nelson for a hike along the east side of Lake Hiawatha and around scenic Lake Nokomis in South Minneapolis. Hiawatha Lake and the surrounding area were purchased by the City of Minneapolis in 1922 for $555,000. When it was first acquired, it was nothing but swampy land. Hiawatha Lake park covers 266 acres, with the lake accounting for 55 acres, and most of the balance of the park consisting of a golf course. Lake Nokomis Park has 210 acres of water and 195 acres of land. Lake Nokomis was acquired by the City of Minneapolis in 1907 for $65,000. Lake Nokomis was called Lake Amelia on the fort map in 1823, named for the daughter of Captain George Gooding, who came with the first troops in 1819. The name was changed to Nokomis, for the grandmother of Hiawatha, the legendary hero in Longfellow’s famous poem “'Song of Hiawatha,” by the Minneapolis park commissioners in 1910. Lake Nokomis sits on a glacial terrace on top of St. Peter Sandstone, initially was no more than 5 feet deep, and was subsequently dredged by the park board. Ground water coming into Lake Nokomis flows from the northwest, passes through the lake, and eventually empties into the Mississippi River.

Meet at Larry and Bonnie's house, 4105 30th Avenue South, directly across from the Roosevelt High School football field. Roosevelt High School is named for President Theodore Roosevelt.

If coming by car: From downtown Minneapolis, take Hiawatha Avenue (State Highway 55) south to 42nd Street and go west (right turn) five blocks to 30th Avenue South. From the south, take Highway 55/Hiawatha Avenue north past Minnehaha park to 42nd Street, turn west (left) onto 42nd Street and five blocks later turn north (right) on 30th Avenue. In either case, continue north on 30th Avenue South 14/15ths of a block to 4105 30th Avenue South, just across from the Roosevelt High School (Al Gowans Stadium) athletic field.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 7, 19, 22. The closest bus service point is the corner of Minnehaha Avenue and 42nd Street (Route 7) or the corner of 28th Avenue and 42nd Street (Routes 19 or 22) . From the applicable corner, walk to 4105 30th Avenue, just south of 41st Street. Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information

Meet at Larry and Bonnie's house (4105 30th Avenue South) for a pot luck after the hike. Bring something to share at the potluck. Lemonade and Larry’s homemade rhubarb pie will be provided.

For information, call Bonnie at ((612) 721-7175).

Hikes on Us map to the hike start point

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This webpage was last updated on June 28, 2005.