New concessions operator picked for Lake Nokomis

The Painted Turtle will be serving up food from the concessions stand to people visiting Lake Nokomis in 2023, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) announced.

The previous concessions operator, Sandcastle, had decided not to renew its lease after 10 years of service at the location.

The MPRB then requested proposals for a new concessions operator and a committee selected The Painted Turtle among the 11 total proposals. The choice was approved by the MPRB commissioners in November.

The Painted Turtle’s five-year lease starts on January 1, 2023.

The people running The Painted Turtle also created Unleashed Hounds and Hops, an indoor and outdoor dog park with a bar and restaurant in Minneapolis.

The Painted Turtle says they will be partnering with La La Ice Cream and Kramarczuks Sausage Company for some of their food offerings as well as local breweries.

The concessions are expected to open for the season in late spring or early summer.