Community Corner

Lake Minnetonka's Trash Problem, New Clean and Drain Stations, Connecting with Patch

Today we are rolling out a feature that will highlight all sorts of things happening around town.

Good morning, from Lake Minnetonka Patch.

Today we are rolling out a feature that will highlight all sorts of things happening around town, include some periodic thoughts from the editor and fill you in on the talk of the day.

We’ll feature events from our calendar listings, boards, blogs and stories; and point you to event calendars around town, so you know what’s going on around Lake Minnetonka.

Find out what's happening in Lake Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This list is not comprehensive, so if we missed something, please add it to the comments or post the event on our calendar. We'll update this link and feature daily happenings in our newsletter every day of the week. Enjoy. 

Lake Minnetonka has a trash problem.

Find out what's happening in Lake Minnetonkawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From dirty diapers left on public beaches to beer cans by the hundreds thrown into the water around historic islands, a contextually few recreational users of the lake are seemingly on a mission to tarnish Lake Minnetonka’s reputation and dull its beauty for those who visit and live near its shores.

The all too often unrecognized work of volunteers, conservation groups and civic organizations is being undone by selfish, inconsiderate polluters who either simply don’t understand the damage they inflict or are too inebriated to care.  

Last week’s linking of three E coli cases to swimming near Big Island underscores the escalating threats to not only the natural habitat, but to the human population as well.

Most of us will never understand why someone would throw their empty into the lake or why a boat captain would drain a sewage a bilge near swimmers.

We shouldn’t try to understand.

Instead, we should speak up.

If you see a mother changing a diaper, politely let her know there’s a garbage can just over yonder; when a young boater throws a beer can into the lake, pick it up and bring it back to them; if you admire the work being done on Lake Minnetonka by a particular group, donate to their mission or write a letter supporting their organization.

Sure, more trash cans in public gathering spaces, awareness campaigns and increased ordinance enforcement are all topics for discussion. But if you're tired of recklessness damaging Lake Minnetonka—say something about it.

Clean and Drain

New “Clean and Drain” stations should begin operation at public boat launches on Grays Bay and Maxwell Bay this week. The two Lake Minnetonka locations are among the more than 200 planned for installation this summer throughout the state.

Read more about the Department of Natural Resources' "Clean and Drain" stations by clicking here.

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