Until recently, safety and security at Cedar Lake East Beach (aka “Hidden Beach”) was a concerning topic among neighbors who live in the vicinity. Late night parties, litter, and neglected maintenance reinforced the beach’s poor image. Even with the Kenwood Neighborhood Organization (KNO), then called the Kenwood Isles Area Association, paying for additional support from the Park Police, repeated noise complaints and unruly behavior left many in the community avoiding the beach altogether or calling for more drastic measures, including closing the beach entirely.
At that point, KNO began trying something new: Positive programming with the goal of making the space safe and welcoming for everyone. When Will Stensrud joined the KNO board in 2016, he stepped in to take the lead. He describes the KNO approach as “inclusive community engagement that strengthens a positive image of the beach, focused on daily volunteer stewardship, well structured community programing and formalized arts and wellness opportunities.” This shift toward community stewardship and structured programming has transformed Cedar Lake East Beach into a desirable destination that attracts families, arts, wellness, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Community Stewardship
Each spring, a group of neighborhood volunteers gathers on a Saturday morning to rake the beach, clear trash and pull buckthorn. This annual effort sets the stage for the beach season.
Thanks to a partnership with the Good Chair Project and funding from the neighborhood, the beach is annually stocked with benches and Adirondack chairs to welcome visitors and encourage connection and engagement. From June through Aug., neighbors volunteer for daily cleanup shifts, ensuring that each morning, trash is cleared, sand is groomed, and benches and chairs are arranged to welcome the coming day’s visitors.
Arts and Wellness Programming
Over the past five years, KNO has partnered with local organizations and businesses, including Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, Cedar Lake Park Association, Kenwood Community School, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources School Forest Initiative, 612 Sauna, Classical Actor’s Ensemble, Gypset Yoga and ARTrageous Adventures, to develop a summer schedule of community-focused events at the beach.
Each year, participation has grown. Last summer, weekly yoga classes, which previously attended by few than ten neighbors, later drew crowds of 35-40 people each week. Weekend performances by Jeremy Messersmith and Mixed Precipitation’s Pickup Truck Opera each drew more than 200 attendees. The success of these events has prompted neighbors to suggest that the CedarIsles Master Plan include the installation of a natural, open performance space near the south end of the beach. The vision includes clearing additional buckthorn and intentional landscaping that creates a defined community space for performances, education, and community wellness events. This maintained space would also serve as overflow gathering space on busy beach days.
How can you get involved?
Join your neighbors at East Cedar Lake Beach Saturday, May 7, from 8:30-11 a.m. Feel free to bring any tools you may have, but extras are on hand for those who come ready to work. Are you interested in a weekly morning cleanup shift? Contact Will Stensrud at willstensrud@gmail.com or (612) 219-5028.
Experience the fantastic programming scheduled for summer 2022:
WELLNESS EVENTS:
- 612 Sauna:Every Friday through Sunday in May. Reservations available soon at https://612saunasociety.com.
- Community Wellness Activities:May 21 and 28. Free bike adjustments available from 1-4 p.m. and hourlong wellness sessions available throughout the afternoon, including yoga, Tai Chi, meditation and workshops on edible/medicinal plants found in Cedar Lake woods.
- Weekly Yoga at the Beach:Every Thursday, 7 p.m., June 2 - Sept. 8
FAMILY EVENTS:
- Saturday, May 22 - Monday, May 30: Art Rocks, the School Forest Art Installation on display in Burnham Woods
- Saturday, June 4, 3 p.m.: Family Beach Opener & barbecue
- Saturday, July 16, 3 p.m.: Pirates and Mermaids Family Beach Party by ARTrageous Adventures
Hidden Acoustics Series, Sundays at 3 p.m.:
- June 12: Chione Quintet (Classical)
- June 26: Classical Actors Ensemble (Shakespeare)
- July 31: Barley Jacks (Bluegrass)
- Aug. 14: Joe Melander (from The Okee Dokee Brothers)
- Aug. 28: The Pickup Truck Opera (Mixed Precipitation Opera Co.)
