Park Board asks Minneapolis dog owners to clean up to avoid runoff

Bacteria running into Minneapolis lakes has closed beaches for long stretches this summer, and one factor has been irresponsible pet owners.

State of play: Bde Maka Ska's north beach and Lake Hiawatha's beach remain closed due to E. coli. Lake Harriet's southeast beach opened last week after being shut down for more than a month.

Context: This summer's heavy rains are to blame, which is uncontrollable, as is the presence of bird droppings that contain bacteria.

Yes, but: Axios asked the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board how residents can help prevent this problem.

• Spokesperson Robin Smothers said picking up after dogs is key, because pet waste dropped in green spaces all over the city run into lakes via storm sewers.
• Pet ownership has been increasing for years and spiked during the pandemic. Smothers said 100,000 dogs live in Minneapolis and "together, they produce a lot of bacteria in their feces."

The bottom line: Lakes are Minnesota's best natural asset and losing access to them during the state's abbreviated summer is a downer.