IV - Parks and Open Space System Plan
Name: Grays
Bay Dam
Neighborhood Park Service Area: 9
Classification: Special Use Park
Approx. Size: 3.5 Acres
Basis for Park Need/Primary Program Focus
Ecological/Natural Resource Issues
As a special use park, the park provides access to the bay and
headwaters of Minnehaha Creek .
Grays Bay Dam is located off of the east side of Grays Bay on
Lake Minnetonka and is to the north of Libbs Lake Beach. As a
special use park, it does not have a strong direct relationship
with the other parks in this service area, other than to augment
the amenities they provide. Note that the site is currently
owned by Hennepin County and the dam and boat landing are
managed by MCWD and the MnDNR, respectively.
Ecological issues include managing the natural upland areas
(primarily controlling Buckthorn) and working with the DNR
and Watershed District on managing the water quality of the
lake and controlling aggressive nonnative plant species from
invading the waterways and wetland areas. The ecotone
between the water and the wetland is of particular concern
due to its vulnerability to invasive species like Purple
Loosestrife and reed canary grass. Erosion, too, should be
carefully monitored, especially in the area of the canoe launch
and the shore fishing areas (current and proposed).
Management of any introduced and existing natural areas
should be included in the city-wide program.
Park Features/Amenities
Trail Access
As illustrated by the aerial photograph, current park features
include:
1) Parking area for approx. 19 vehicle & trailer spaces and 6
car spaces, 1 of which is designated for H.C. space
2) Boat launch area
3) Overlook pier
4) Canoe launch area
5) Picnic spaces
6) Fishing areas
7) Dam
8) Weir
Although there is a trail link planned to connect this park the
larger community, it has yet to be developed. The city is
encouraged to continue discussing this issue with the
neighborhood as it would make this site more accessible to
pedestrians.
Interrelationship with Other Parks
Visual Characteristics
Under its current use, the Grays Bay Dam site is heavily used as
a boat launch for Lake Minnetonka and, to a lesser degree, a
drop-in point for the headwaters of Minnehaha Creek. It is also
used for limited shore fishing. Under its current design, the
boat launch dominates the use of the park, with the parking
area and boat launch ramp using up the vast majority of the
site.
If a recent proposal to build a new boat launch at another,
more accessible location on the lake is accepted by the
community and funded, the existing boat launch at this site
would be removed. Absent the boat launch, there would be
significant opportunity to change the park’s design to focus on
the headwaters of the creek, which would include the canoe
launch (which has already been upgraded), shore fishing,
picnicking, and a dam/lake observation area. Improving the
buffers between the park property and the adjacent private
properties would help improve the character of the site and
more clearly define the property line.
Although the site has some appealing features, adding the
buffers and a few well-placed trees and other landscaping
would improve the overall aesthetic of the park and help frame
some of the nice views across the lake and down the creek
corridor. The dam itself is a bit too utilitarian in appearance
and could use some superficial upgrading, such as adding
ornamental fence in lieu of the current chainlink.
Minnetonka Parks, Open Space, and Trail System Plan
Development Program
As noted, a recent proposal has been put forth to remove the
boat launch from this site. That plan should be referred to for
additional information on the potential development program
for the site, which includes the following improvements:
< Enhanced landscaping to improve site aesthetics, buffer
adjacent properties and control erosion
< Redesigned area around the dam to improve its aesthetics
and make it more of an attractive architectural feature and
viewpoint
< Provide a better and more interesting path connection
across the dam area to an observation area
< Improve picnic spaces and shore fishing areas
< Redesign the road and parking area to better serve future
uses and reduce extent of asphalt in the park
< Improved canoe launch (completed in 1999)
< Adding headwaters information kiosk
< Providing portable toilet pad
< General amenities enhancements (i.e., benches, picnic
tables, grills, etc.)
The park’s master plan should also take into consideration the
facilities as proposed by the Minnehaha Creek Corridor Study.
Maintenance
A “C” maintenance level (low intensity maintenance) is
recommended given that the site is not heavily programmed.
Programmed Uses
No programmed uses are proposed.
4.36
IV - Parks, Open Space, and Trail System Plan
7
6
2
5
A
C
8
B
3
4
1
N
A - VIEW OF OVERLOOK AREA
B - VIEW OF FISHING BEACH
C - VIEW OF PARKING / BOAT LAUNCH AREA
City of Minnetonka Parks Open Space, and Trail System Plan
4.37