Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board voted to close the Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park because it is on Indigenous sacred land. The decision passed 8-1 and will end off-leash dog access at the Mississippi River site by the end of the year.

During the meeting, speakers supporting the closure described the area as a Dakota sacred site and referenced historical violence tied to colonization. One supporter, Mike Forcia, said: “Imagine that area before the white man, before the pilgrims, pioneers and settlers, the extreme white Christian terrorist.”

Forcia also said, “Um, we all know what’s gonna happen. This park is gonna be closed. Um, it’s gonna happen. … And to all you all, imagine that area before the white man. Before the Pilgrims, Pioneers, and Settlers. The extreme white Christian terrorists who showed up on this land. … So really, you guys have no say in this at all. That park is being closed. Sorry about that. Get used to it. But you have no say.”

The meeting saw repeated disruptions, including from attendee Erica Crazy Hawk, who moved through the audience while speaking and at times shouted over proceedings. She said, “I should be able to come back here and pray on my goddamn land,” and also stated, “There shouldn’t even be a vote on this at all.”

Board members did not pause the meeting or remove attendees, and at one point, a commissioner responded, “Thank you, Erica,” adding, “We hear you.”

Park officials said the decision followed consultation with Indigenous historians and determined the site is part of Mni Owe Sni, a Dakota sacred area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The off-leash area will be decommissioned, though the broader park will remain open for public use with dogs allowed on leash, reports MPR News.

Several residents opposed the closure, citing the park’s unique role as the only off-leash area in Minneapolis with direct river access. Jody Wynen said, “Minnehaha is all that we have,” while John McCarten said, “There is no other space that you can find that people can actively take their dogs to and run around like they can here. The running water is important,” said resident John McCarten.

Park Board President Tom Olsen said visitors will still be able to access the area on foot. “We will still be able to go and walk along the land and walk up to that river and that beautiful sand and find mussel shells in the beach, and we will be able to connect with it in a very similar way that you all have in the last 30 years,” Olsen said.