Minne The Lake Creature Taking The Summer Off
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Those visiting Minneapolis lakes this summer won't be spotting Minne the Lake Creature.
The 20-foot tall Loch Ness Monster-like sculpture that's been seen for years floating in lakes around the city will be landlocked through 2016, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation announced on Monday.
The sculpture, named by its creator Cameron Gainer, is made of fiberglass and aluminum. Since its debut in 2009, it's sustained a considerable amount of wear and tear.
Last year, the cracking and fading of the surface paint accelerated, the parks foundation said. Also, the sculpture was taken off Lake Calhoun last July for repairs after swimmers were seen scrambling all over it.
Parks officials say they are working with Gainer to get Minne back on Minnesota lakes in 2017.
In the meantime, officials have launched a #MinneVacation social media campaign in which participants print off an image of Minne, decorate it and take photos with it during their summer travels.
MinneVaction craft booths will be set up at summer events in the city, including the Stone Arch Bridge Festival and the Wilco riverfront concert.
