Regional Planning Approach to Attract Tourism West of the Twin Cities

Located less then 15 miles west of Downtown Minneapolis, Lake Minnetonka is already popular, but the 14 cities near the lake have created a regional coalition to improve the lake experience.

1 minute read

February 17, 2014, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Fourteen cities near Lake Minnetonka in the Metropolitan Twin Cities area "want to entice more people to do, boosting tourism by rebranding the area as a year-round regional destination and revamping lakefront attractions," writes Kelly Smith. The plans would remake the towns on the lakefront in the model of "places like Key West, Naples, San Diego or Duluth."

Included in the plans:

  • A scenic byway around the lake, so tourists can tour the entire lake.
  • The Wayzata Lake Effecta 10-year concept plan to improve access and amenities on Wayzata’s (considred the gateway to Lake Minnetonka) lakefront
  • "An ambitious concept to boost access to its lakefront for everyone from pedestrians to boaters by adding docks, a pier and lake walk."
  • And "new bike lanes, added temporary boat slips and a food vendor at a beach house that houses storage and public restrooms."

Not everyone is supportive of the plans to increase access to the lake. Mary Bader, a longtime resident and former City Council member is quoted an earlier article describing her resistance to the potential changes: “Do we need a massive redevelopment plan for what is basically a nice little town? No, I don’t think so, and I don’t think most people in Wayzata think so."

Friday, February 14, 2014 in Minneapolis Star Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight