ParkPointBeach.org is for beach goers at Duluth's Park Point Beach. The website operates between June 1 and October 1 and provides accurate and timely information to the public about water and beach conditions for Duluth's Park Point Beach on Lake Superior's south shore.
What is Park Point Beach?
Park Point Beach stretches along the south shore of Lake Superior for much of the seven-mile long sandbar called Minnesota Point that separates Lake Superior from the Port of Duluth-Superior. The Park Point Beach beach house, picnic area, parking lot are located at the eastern end of the point. There's also a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Scientific and Natural Area (SNA) at the far eastern end that has a magnificent old-growth pine forest.
Project description
The ParkPointBeach.org website is a product of the Twin Ports Rip Current Working Group and is designed to provide accurate and timely information to the public about the conditions on Park Point Beach, a seven-mile long Lake Superior sandbar in Duluth, Minnesota.
The site includes:
- Daily weather forecast
- Water and wave conditions
- Bacteria warnings
- UV index forecast
- Swim hazard (rip current) risk
- COVID-19 notice
- Two beach cams
For beach goers who head to Park Point Beach without a device or means to check the beach forecast, there are a series of warning flags placed along the road leading to the Park Point Beach beach house.
- Low risk (green flag) indicates risk of rip currents is low. However, life-threatening rip currents often occur in the vicinity of jetties, reefs, and piers.
- Moderate risk (yellow flag) indicates that life-threatening rip currents are possible in the surf zone.
- High risk (red flag) indicates that life-threatening rip currents are likely in the surf zone.
The swim hazard risk gives details about rip currents and is taken directly from the National Weather Service surf zone forecast.
Why Minnesota Sea Grant?
ParkPointBeach.org supports Sea Grant's mission to enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal, marine and Great Lakes resources in order to create a sustainable economy and environment.
What Have we Done Lately?
In 2020, the Twin Ports Rip Current Working Group replaced four safety stations that were damaged by large waves in 2018 and 2019. The safety stations have information signage, ring buoys, and ropes for use by beachgoers when they see someone in trouble in the water.
Safety stations are located:
- Near the south pier, adjacent to the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge
- At the 12th St. Tot Lot beach
- At the Lafayette Park beach
- At the Park Point Beach House
Participants & audience
The ParkPointBeach.org website is for everyone visiting Duluth's Park Point Beach.
Funding
ParkPointBeach.org is maintained and supported by Minnesota Sea Grant. Funding for its creation was made possible through support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, under Assistance Agreement No. GL-00E00632-0.
Program Staff
Research Projects
Partners
- City of Duluth, Minnesota, Fire Department, State/Local Government
- Duluth Area Family YMCA, NGO
- Minnesota Department of Health, State/Local Government
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Lake Superior Coastal Program, State/Local Government
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Duluth Area Office, Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, Federal Government
- City of Duluth, Minnesota, Parks and Recreation Department, State/Local Government
- National Weather Service, Forecast Office, Duluth, Minnesota, Federal Government
- University of Minnesota, Duluth, Natural Resources Research Institute, Academic Institution (College and University)
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, Academic Institution (College and University)
- Wisconsin Sea Grant, Sea Grant Programs
Media Mentions
- Rip current warning for Park Point beaches issued until Monday morning
- Red flag warning issued at Park Point beaches
- Duluth Fire Dept: Rip Currents 'can quite easily develop' while swimming
- Lifeguards will return to Park Point beach
- Duluth lifeguard staffing to return to prepandemic levels
- Duluth Fire Dept. shares reminders to stay safe at the beach
- As beachgoers hit the water, Duluth Fire officials urge caution
- Repeated searches prompt request to secure floating devices
- Another rip current warning issued for Park Point beaches
- Red-flag warning issued for dangerous swimming conditions on Park Point
- Lifeguards to return to Park Point starting July 10
- Lifeguards returning to Park Point beach for the summer
- Threat of rip currents at Park Point beaches
- Unlike many cities, Duluth keeps beaches open