By Tim Douglass

tdouglass@pctribune.com

The City of Long Beach will again join with local law enforcement and public officials to address public safety concerns surrounding an “unofficial lake event” that can attract  a flotilla of boats and thousands of people to “Bottle Bay” on Lake Minnewaska during Waterama weekend.

The flotilla, with hundreds of boats and pontoons anchored closely together in the area, has been an attraction for many years, but in recent years it grew significantly in size and has been the scene of near tragedy both on the highways near the lake and on the lake.

The flotilla on the lake also attracts a lot of people who, until last year, tried to park on both sides of N. Ridge Drive, the street that runs behind Minnewaska House Brewing Co. + Grill to Morning Glory Gardens and out to Highway 28/29.  Those without boats would park on that road and others in the area and walk to the lake, joining hundreds of waders who stand in the shallow, sandy water that is a feature of that area of the lake.

City of Long Beach officials, law enforcement, EMS and MnDOT officials last year addressed the parking issue by posting “no parking” signs along N. Ridge Drive as well as along the entire stretch of Highway 28/29 that travels past Morning Glory Gardens.  It was the first year of that action and it did improve public safety in the area, according to officials.   Those efforts will continue during July this year as well.   

Mike Pfeiffer, mayor of Long Beach, said the city is committed to doing what it must do to address public safety issues caused by the event.  

“The City of Long Beach is thankful for the support of law enforcement and state officials in maintaining public safety on roads near “Bottle Bay” during July.  Being the second year of cooperation, it seems attendees have received the message to enjoy any activities from the water, Pfeiffer added.  

The event on the lake has caused safety issues in the past, including near drownings and minor consumption as well as dangerous traffic congestion on Highway 28/29, parking issues, pedestrians crossing the highway and walking along the shoulder of the highway.  In addition, the event has caused a lot of litter, noise and other nuisance issues for residents who live in that area.

“We’re not trying to stop the activity on the lake, but the main goal is to improve public safety where we can,” Pfeiffer said.

Some of the methods that will be enforced again this year include a no parking order along streets in Long Beach near the area; towing trucks on standby and the Morning Glory Gardens parking lot will be for official vehicles only.  The Pope County Sheriff’s Office may also provide a trailer at Morning Glory Garden manned with officers and/or EMS personnel.

MnDot and Long Beach again will partner on an effort to stop people from parking along Highway 28/29 from Pelican Lake Road to the Minnewaska Area High School.  MnDot has posted “No Parking Anytime” signs along that section and has provided digital signs  reminding motorists that there there is no parking and vehicles will be towed.  

The Minnesota State Patrol and area law enforcement agencies will also patrol the area, it was stated.

On the water, the Pope County Sheriff’s Department and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will have officers on the lake enforcing boating and consumption laws during the during Waterama weekend in Glenwood.  

A Pope County Mobile Command trailer will be set up near Bottle Bay at Morning Glory Gardens.