Fourth of July Fireworks Displays

The City of Prior Lake is a sponsor the Prior Lake Association's Annual Fireworks Display from Watzel’s Beach in Lakefront Park just after 10 p.m. There is excellent viewing from almost anywhere north of west of the park. The beach area will be closed beginning at noon and boat traffic will be kept from the launch site to accommodate safe setup. For more information, visit the Prior Lake Association website. For other area displays, check out our monthly calendar of community events.

Lakefront Days 2009 Begins July 29

The Lakefront Days celebration is five days of fun-filled activities that include large groups of people converging on beautiful Lakefront Park. Expect great summer weather and a festive atmosphere. This year’s "Five Days of Fun" celebration is from Wednesday, July 29 to Sunday Aug. 2 For the latest information about the Lakefront Days celebration, click the City of Prior Lake Lakefront Days Web page.

Water Treatment Facility Grand Opening Set For July 16

The City of Prior Lake welcomes the public to a grand opening of Prior Lake’s new Water Treatment Facility, 16335 Itasca Ave. SE, on Thursday, July 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The event will include words from Mayor Jack Haugen and other speakers, a plaque unveiling, tours of the facility, and samples of the facility’s water served in a commemorative cup for all attendees. For more information and a streaming video walkthrough of the facility, visit the Water Treatment Facility webpage.

Yard Waste Site Open on July 11

The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Compost Site is jointly shared by the City of Prior Lake the second and fourth Saturdays of each month until October from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The site is about a quarter mile west of the intersection of County Rd. 42 and County Rd. 83 (click on map). Residents can drop off leaves, grass clippings, brush and branches less than 8 inches in width. Waste containers or bags can not be left on site. For more information, contact Danette Parr at (952) 447-9813 or Al Friedges at (952) 447-9892.

Summer Transit Options Available

Need to get to work, summer school, or a popular destination such as Valleyfair, Lakefront Park or Sand Point Beach? The Prior Lake summer transit service called the Local Laker Link (LLL) is your ticket. The LLL circulator is $1 and the shuttle is FREE. For more information, download this Prior Lake Circulator and Shuttle flier or contact Jane Kansier at (952) 447-9812.

Free Concerts in the Park Each Thursday

Bring the whole family for free concerts every Thursday at 7 p.m. at Lakefront Park (5000 Kop Pkwy. in Prior Lake) through June, July and August. Click here for the whole summer schedule.

Water Restrictions in Affect Until Oct. 1

Lawn or garden sprinkling, irrigation and other non-essential outdoor uses are prohibited from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for all properties until Oct. 1. Residents may water on odd or even days corresponding with the date of the month for other non-essential uses before and after the daily restrictions. Some exemptions apply. For a permit for new lawns, private wells and pumping from the lake, call (952) 447-9830. Click on our Sprinkling Restrictions webpage for more information.

City Soliciting Community Garden Names

The City of Prior Lake is soliciting applications for naming the new community gardens in conjunction with the City's policy for naming public places. Applications can be obtained by contacting Charlotte Green or Kelly Meyer. The naming applicationd deadline is Friday, June 26 at 4:30 p.m. Registration for plots is now open through the Prior Lake Recreation Department at city hall at (952) 447-9820. Click here to download the rules and registration forms. The rental fee for a plot is $35 for residents ($50 for non residents). For more information, download this Community Garden News Release.

Prior Lake In Midst of Moderate Drought

The U.S. Drought Monitor currently has the Prior Lake area under the D1-Moderate Drought category. Just to the east is classified as severe. The June '08 to June '09 precipitation deficit is between six and eight inches in Scott County. As of Friday, June 5 the level of Prior Lake was 899.95 feet; the first time it's dropped below 900.00 since Feb. 25, 1992 when it was 899.77. For more information, click on the Prior Lake Water Resources Web page. Click here for current and historic lake levels and information from the Prior Lake-Spring Lake Watershed District. Click here for a 2009 drought overview.

Farmer's Market Open Through October

The Prior Lake Farmer’s Market starts Saturday May 9, from 8 a.m. to noon between Hastings and Dakota St. on Main Ave. The market will continue each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon until the middle of October. Live music is provided almost every weekend as is breakfast cooked on site. There are many vendors, crafts and projects for kids. For information, email Karla Haugen or call (952)447-0263.

Keep a Look Out for Emerald Ash Borer

An Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation was recently found in St. Paul. If you suspect an area ash tree has the invasive pest, call the Arrest the Pest Hotline at 651-201-6684 or visit the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website for more information about EAB and what to look for. Click the Arbor Day Foundation website to learn how to identify your trees. For information about what Prior Lake is doing to prepare for EAB, contact Al Friedges at (952) 447-9892 or Greg Skuzacek at (952) 447-9898.

Zebra Mussels Found in Prior Lake

The DNR recently discovered zebra mussels in Prior Lake. Click here to see the City's Inside City Hall cable show on Zebra Mussels in Prior Lake. Zebra mussels pose serious ecological and economic threats to Minnesota Lakes. Heavy infestations can kill native mussels, may impact fish populations, can interfere with recreation, and can increase costs for industry, including power and water supply facilities. Click here to see the extra precautions boaters and anglers should take to prevent further infestation. For more information, visit the DNR's website on zebra mussels.

Motorized Golf Carts Allowed on City Roads With Permit

Permits are now available authorizing the use of golf carts on designated roadways within Prior Lake. The permit, which can be applied for at the Police Department, is $25, valid until Dec. 31 and must be renewed each year. Only persons with a valid driver’s license may operate golf carts on city streets with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Check the ordinance requirements and download the permit from the Licensing and Permits webpage.

H1N1 Flu and What You Should Know

As part of an ongoing investigation into an outbreak of swine influenza A (H1N1) in the United States and Mexico, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced additional human cases of infection with swine flu in the U.S. Currently the CDC is trying to reduce transmission and illness severity, and provide information. Keep yourself informed by clicking on this CDC website regarding swine flu. Click here for a flu planning checklist for individuals and families. You can also get more information about swine flu and how to prevent transmission by clicking this City of Prior Lake news release. Scott County also has this Emergency Preparedness Kit.

Members of the public with questions about the current international outbreak of H1N1 influenza can call the MDH hotline between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-657-3903.

City Hall Celebrates Community Identity

City Hall is the place where community talent and artistry are celebrated through the City Canvas program with wall-hanging systems and locked display cases donated by the Prior Lake Optimist Club. Prior Lake residents and students are invited to display their accomplishments and craftsmanship through the program. Those interested in sharing their work can call or email Charlotte Green at (952) 447-9803.

Get Discount Movie Tickets at City Hall

The City of Prior Lake sells discount movie tickets for the Lakeville Muller Family Theaters. Tickets are $7 each at the front desk at City Hall and good for any movie that is not a new release (indicated by a diamond in the newspaper movie listings). They make great gifts and stocking stuffers.