The resolution language is not final and could be amended before or during the June 17 meeting.
At its June 3 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Planning Committee advanced a resolution related to the Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area, also known as Minnehaha Dog Park, and Mni Owe Sni/Coldwater Spring.
The resolution will move forward for consideration by the full Board of Commissioners at the next board meeting on Wednesday, June 17 at 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis, MN 55411. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. and is also streamed live on our YouTube Channel. No final decision has been made.
What the Resolution Would Do
As currently written, the resolution would direct the Superintendent to begin a process to decommission the Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area by the earliest practical date, but no later than Dec. 31, 2026, with community engagement beginning this summer. Decommission means ending the site’s use as an off-leash recreation area. This is separate from the Minnehaha Regional Park long-term plan, which also begins this summer.
The resolution would also direct staff to identify off-leash recreation opportunities at one or more other locations. The resolution language is not final and could be amended before or during the June 17 meeting.
Background: Mni Owe Sni/Coldwater Spring
Mni Owe Sni is a place of cultural, spiritual, historical and archaeological significance to Dakota people and other Tribal Nations. In 2023, Mni Owe Sni was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Traditional Cultural Place.
The resolution follows information gathered through due diligence on the Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area and the broader Mni Owe Sni/Coldwater Spring area, including an archaeological assessment completed in 2025. Information gathered through this work has provided additional context about the history of the land and its significance to Dakota people and other Tribal Nations.
Planning Committee Action
Following a study item presentation on May 20, 2026 from the National Park Service, Minnesota Historical Society and Dakota community representatives, the Planning Committee advanced a resolution stating that the current off-leash recreation use is incompatible with Mni Owe Sni’s status as a Traditional Cultural Place. You can view that presentation at this link.
Some information related to cultural, archaeological and burial resources is protected under state and federal law and cannot be shared publicly. The information available to the public can be found at this link.
Current Status
The Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area remains open at this time.
Via MPRB
Petition signed
A post on Next Door, please consider signing…
Stop the Rushed Shutdown of the Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park
The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) is moving aggressively to shut down the Minnehaha Off-Leash Recreation Area by December 31, 2026. For more than three decades, this natural space has served as a vital sanctuary where thousands of Minneapolis residents and their companion animals connect with nature, build deep community, and support their physical and mental well-being.
We approach this issue with immense reverence for the historical, cultural, and archaeological significance of this land to our Dakota neighbors. However, we believe that true stewardship of this land does not require dismantling a cherished community asset. We are demanding that the Park Board halt this resolution, engage in a transparent public process, and commit to a compromise that protects sacred spaces without destroying a vital community resource. Ultimately, the Minnehaha Dog Park—just as it…
Continue reading and sign this petition on Change.org: https://c.org/gWx68CC24L