The Mississippi River public water access at Jaycee Park in Hastings will close this week for improvements that should be completed by mid-November, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said.
Work includes new asphalt and ramp, and improvements to storm-water retention and aquatic invasive species prevention.
“When the project is complete, we will have a high quality facility in place for fishing and boating,” said Rachel Hintzman, a DNR parks and trails area supervisor.
As alternatives during the Hastings closure, the nearest public boat launches are on the St. Croix River at St Croix Bluffs Regional Park and at the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers in Prescott, Wis.
There also are two private boat launches on the Mississippi at Kings Cove Marina and Hub’s Landing and Marina, both in Hastings.
A map showing all boat launch sites in the Twin Cities is available by contacting the DNR Information Center at [email protected] or 651-296-6157.
Nick Ferraro can be reached at 651-228-2173. Follow him at twitter.com/NFerraroPiPress.