Renovated Lake Elmo Park Swimming Pond Reopens Monday

Much-needed renovations to the 30-year-0ld Lake Elmo Park Reserve Swimming Pond are finally complete, making the sought after destination ready for water lovers for the first time all summer.

A ribbon cutting is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1 at the pond. Its face-lift included crews installing a new liner; replacing in-ground filtration pipes; adding new skimmer boxes around the water's edge; planting additional shade trees; reducing the depth from 6 feet to 4 feet; and making enhancements that create more Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility.

Swimmers can also expect new lifeguard towers and "fun-brellas," officials said, as well as a wider sidewalk path around the beach's perimeter and several accessible picnic tables.

The area has been closed to the public all summer due to the $1.4 million project, which was made possible by a Washington County Board of Commissioners contract awarded in March. Money came from a mix of trails fund appropriations and bonds from both the state of Minnesota and the Metropolitan Council.

Lake Elmo Park features one of Washington County's five swimming destinations. The man-made, 2-acre watering hole is chlorinated and filtered. Pond rules include:

• No unsupervised children
• No floatation devices
• No grills or fires
• No glass
• No pets
• No alcohol
• No smoking
• No ground stakes

The swim pond will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Aug. 1 until Labor Day, Sept. 5. Lifeguards will be on duty from noon until 8 p.m., weather dependent.