Bde Maka Ska

Bde Maka Ska. It is the largest lake within the city of Minneapolis, forming a vital part of the Chain of Lakes and the city's renowned Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. The lake, a product of glacial activity from the last Ice Age, has been a central feature for indigenous peoples, early European settlers, and modern urban life, serving as a major hub for recreation and environmental conservation. Its recent official name restoration, after being known for over a century as Lake Calhoun, represents a significant cultural and historical reconciliation.

History

The area surrounding the lake has been inhabited for millennia, with the Dakota people, specifically the Mdewakanton band, considering it a sacred site and naming it Bde Maka Ska, meaning "White Earth Lake." Following the Dakota War of 1862, the United States government forced the removal of the Dakota from the region. In the early 19th century, American explorers like Zebulon Pike and Stephen H. Long documented the area, with the latter naming it after John C. Calhoun, the Secretary of War who ordered the construction of Fort Snelling. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the lake became a centerpiece for the development of Minneapolis, with the creation of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board under Theodore Wirth leading to the formal design of its parkways and amenities. The Works Progress Administration later contributed to further infrastructure improvements during the Great Depression.

Geography and features

Bde Maka Ska is a glacial kettle lake located in the Kenwood and Lowry Hill neighborhoods of southwest Minneapolis. It is connected to Lake of the Isles and Lake Harriet via navigable channels and feeds into Minnehaha Creek, which eventually flows over Minnehaha Falls and into the Mississippi River. The lake covers approximately 421 acres and reaches a maximum depth of 87 feet. Its shoreline is ringed by a popular multi-use trail that is part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, and it features several public beaches, including the main Thomas Beach and the smaller 32nd Street Beach. The William Berry Parkway and the historic Linden Hills neighborhood border its southern edges.

Name change and controversy

The movement to restore the lake's original Dakota name gained substantial momentum in the 21st century, led by Dakota activists and supported by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minneapolis City Council. Proponents argued that the name John C. Calhoun was an inappropriate honor due to his vigorous defense of slavery and role in policies that displaced Native Americans. After a lengthy administrative and legal process, which included an appeal to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names, the name Bde Maka Ska was officially restored in 2018. This decision was challenged in court by the Lake Calhoun Initiative and some area residents, but was ultimately upheld by the Minnesota Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Recreation and amenities

The lake is a year-round recreational destination, managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. In warmer months, it is heavily used for sailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing, with a concession run by Wheel Fun Rentals at the main pavilion. The surrounding parkland hosts facilities for tennis, beach volleyball, and picnicking. The 3.2-mile paved trail is continuously busy with joggers, cyclists, and rollerbladers. During winter, the area transforms for cross-country skiing, ice skating, and ice fishing. The Bde Maka Ska Pavilion and the adjacent Lake Harriet Band Shell regularly host community events and concerts.

In popular culture

Bde Maka Ska and its parkway have served as a backdrop for numerous films and television shows set in Minneapolis, including scenes in the Coen brothers' film A Serious Man and episodes of the MTV series The Real World: Minneapolis. Its iconic view of the Minneapolis skyline is a frequent subject for local photographers and artists, featured in publications like Minnesota Monthly. The lake is also referenced in the works of Minnesota-born authors such as Kate DiCamillo and has been mentioned in songs by local musicians like The Replacements and Atmosphere.

Category:Lakes of Minnesota Category:Minneapolis Category:Glacial lakes of the United States