Three Rivers Parks Re-Opening Schedule – June 2020

In a June 12, 2020 email, Three Rivers Park System, announced a re-opening schedule for most of its park amenities.  See the Three Rivers Parks re-opening list below for a timeline of current and upcoming openings.

Already Open – Beaches, Canoe Rentals, Camping:

Three Rivers Parks beaches opened June 5, 2020. These beaches are unguarded and swimming is available from 9 AM–8 PM daily. No passes or fees are required.

• Baker Park Reserve, Maple Plain
• Bryant Lake Regional Park, Eden Prairie (Opens July 1st)
• Carver Park Reserve, Victoria
• Cedar Lake Farm Regional Park, New Prague
• Cleary Lake Regional Park, Prior Lake
• Fish Lake Regional Park, Maple Grove
• French Regional Park, Plymouth
• Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, Rockford

Watercraft rentals are available, but reservations must be made online. This includes reservations for kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, rowboats and paddleboats. Find rental hours and availability here. Additional cleaning processes will be in place for boats and life jackets.

Campgrounds are now open. Families can book sites at Cleary Lake Regional Park, Baker Park Reserve and Carver Park Reserve. Reserve a campsite or cabin online. Modifications have been made to campground operations based on the Governor’s current guidelines for camping.

General picnic areas are open and can be used during regular park hours if not reserved, but these areas are not sanitized and you may want to bring your own cleaning products. 

Trails and fishing have never been closed.

Unguarded Beaches Opened June 5th. Fish Lake Regional Park (image courtesy Three Rivers Park District)

Opening June 19th – Playgrounds and Visitor Centers

• Baker Park Reserve, Maple Plain. The play area is closed for 2020 due to construction. 
• Habitats play area at Lowry Nature Center will be closed to accommodate summer camps and programs.

Visitor centers at Cleary Lake, French Regional Parks, and Hyland Lake Park Reserve will be providing basic guest services and additional restrooms. 

Elm Creek Playground – Opens June 19, 2020

Opening June 26th – Swim Ponds Open

• The two guarded swim ponds will open June 26th. Both of these ponds are chlorinated with a sandy beach. Usual hours are 9am to 8pm, but hours may vary throughout the summer. $5/day or $18/season. Season wristbands are available for purchase online. Walk-up day passes will also be available for purchase. Capacity limits may be put in place on busy days.
  • Elm Creek Swimming Pond | Maple Grove
  • Lake Minnetonka Swimming Pond | Minnetrista (Closing early in August for construction).

Guarded Swim Ponds Open June 26, 2020. Lake Minnetonka Regional Park (Image courtesy Three Rivers Park District)

Opening July 1 – Shelter Rentals

Picnic areas and small pavilion rentals can be reserved for dates beginning on July 1st. Social gathering guidelines will be in place, including maximum gathering sizes of 25 for large picnic areas and 10 people for small indoor pavilions.

Remaining Closed To the Public in 2020 – Nature Centers

Nature centers and program centers will remain closed this summer for use by the general public to accommodate summer camp and programming needs. These include:

• Eastman Nature Center
• Lowry Nature Center
• Richardson Nature Center

Nature Centers will only be open for programs and camps in 2020