Our social calendars haven't kept up with warmer fall
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Bread & Pickle was closed on Monday, despite warm temperatures. Photo: Nick Halter/Axios Twin Cities
The party in the Twin Cities is lasting longer into fall, but many businesses and recreational organizations are still turning out the lights early.
Why it matters: Winters are long here! We try to pack as much as we can into a few short months, but we might be leaving meat on the bone during what is typically some of the nicest weather of the year.
Driving the news: Most of the seasonal restaurants in Minneapolis parks closed on Sunday or Monday.
- Temperatures may hit 80 on Saturday, but you won't be able to catch a movie in a city park because the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board yells "cut!" on its Music and Movies in the park series on Labor Day.
- Wouldn't it be nice to watch an outdoor movie around 7pm, instead of the 9:30pm start times in the heart of summer, when the sun sets so late?
The big picture: Average fall temperatures in the Twin Cities have increased by 5.2 degrees since 1970.
Case in point: It's not just the tail end of fall; most municipal pools close in late August, even though the first two weeks of September have become an extension of summer.
- The St. Louis Park Aquatic Park pulled the plug on Aug. 23, prompting one Facebook user to ask if anyone considered extending the season into September, "given the relentless warming patterns."
- The high at MSP was at least 81 degrees for 19 straight days after the St. Louis Park pool — and most others in the metro — closed.
Reality check: There are good reasons for the early shutdowns, some of which might make us look in the mirror.
- "It's kind of like a light switch once the State Fair hits," said Sam Carter, co-owner of Lake Nokomis restaurant The Painted Turtle, which closed Monday. "We see a huge drop-off [in sales], and then it kind of just maintains that way until we decide to close for the year."
- It's not abnormal to see long lines at these vendors when it's 90 in July, but sparse crowds on a 65-degree night in September. Where is everyone?
These businesses also struggle with staffing after many of their seasonal workers return to high school or college.
What they're saying: That's the case with the lifeguards at St. Louis Park Aquatic Park, said city spokesperson Jacque Smith.
- "Lack of staffing limits the city's ability to operate the pool safely beyond late August."
What we're watching: The Painted Turtle and other park food vendors try to remain open through the Twin Cities Marathon. With the race pushed back to mid-October starting next year, Carter is still deciding if they'll also extend their closing date.
- The issue, he said, is that the Park Board turns off the water if freezing temperatures are forecast. He has to plan weeks in advance on which date to close so that he has water for building cleanup.
- "You might miss a few 80-degree October days, but what would be worse is being unprepared if you got a really cold fall."