North Arm Public Access redesign

Planned improvements

Improvements planned for the North Arm Public Access include:

• Infrastructure maintenance: repair structural deterioration at the access point and asphalt condition, maintenance for stormwater management. 
• Safety and efficiency improvements, including:
  • Realigning the boat launch so that it doesn't require a backing turn.
  • Angling the parking stalls to improve navigation in the parking lot.
• Adding a vertical access point to separate commercial use at launch.
• Increased accessibility: adding lake access for users in human-powered crafts like canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
• Making improvements for shoreline anglers, including better accessibility, sightlines, and lighting and "pods" that extend out into the lake to improve the fishing experience.
• Incorporating climate and resiliency features, including redesigning the stormwater management system and adding solar.

How this project is modernizing lake accesses to improve the experience for all users and protect water

Hennepin County’s Tony Brough, who oversees some of the public accesses and manages navigational buoys on Lake Minnetonka and other area lakes, was on the Minnesota Bound Podcast in February 2025 to discuss the North Arm Public Access redesign.

The redesign will provide a better experience for all users, including those who are launching boats, fishing from the shore, or putting in paddleboards and kayaks. The access will also have improved stormwater management and space and tools to clean equipment to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species to protect water and habitat.

Listen to the Minnesota Bound episode.

Project timeline

• Fall 2024 through winter 2025: Develop design and conduct community engagement.
• Fall 2024 through spring 2025: Create construction documents and secure easements and approvals.
• Fall 2025 through spring 2026: Construction, which will be done in phases and will prioritize maintaining public access during the busiest portion of the fishing and boating season.

Virtual information session and in-person open house in January and February 2025

Hennepin County and IMO Consulting Group held an in-person open house on January 29 and a virtual information session on February 4 to share information on the project, answer questions, and gather feedback on updated design concepts.

Seventeen people, including residents who live near the access and representatives from local businesses, nonprofits, and local government, attended a session. Attendees shared feedback on access and parking, commercial usage and vertical access point, landscaping and stormwater management, and waste management.

See the feedback on updated design concepts (PDF) for a summary of the feedback received and how the county will incorporate suggestions into the design or policies that guide the county’s approach to the suggestion.

Virtual information session recording and slides

Review slides shared during the session (PDF, 2MB). 

Recap of open house held for the community in October 

Hennepin County and IMO Consulting Group held an open house for the community on October 4 to share information about the project and gather feedback on the initial design concepts. Ten people attended, including residents who live near the access and representatives from the Lake Minnetonka Association, Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 

Attendees shared feedback on topics including the access design, fishing, boating, parking, signage, and waste management. Hennepin County and the consultant team are reviewing the feedback, developing responses to questions raised, and modifying and refining the designs to incorporate suggestions.

Read a detailed summary of feedback received at the October open house (PDF). 

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