Minnehaha dog park to close Dec. 21

Minnehaha Regional Park’s area for off-leash dogs remains open for use by the public and off-leash dogs until Monday, Dec. 21, 2026. Starting on that date, dogs in this area must be leashed, just like anywhere else in the park. Ending off-leash use is the only change to this area of the park. 

FROM MPRB:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is following a directive approved by its Board of Commissioners on June 17, 2026, to close the Minnehaha off-leash dog area no later than Dec. 31, 2026, or sooner if possible.

The Board approved this directive after determining that an off-leash dog park is not compatible with this area of Minnehaha Park. It is part of Mni Owe Sni/Coldwater Spring, a place of deep cultural, spiritual, historical and archaeological significance to Dakota people and other Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. 

The Board also directed MPRB to identify additional off-leash opportunities in the park system. MPRB will be soliciting engagement through a citywide dog park search and will result in recommendations for off-leash recreation activities across the Minneapolis park system. The project will get off the ground soon. 

This item is from MPRB.