[3][4][5] The current bandshell was originally painted blue, but in 2004 developer Mark McGowan organized an all-volunteer free restoration of the buildings.

During the fall of 2006, construction of a new patio and picnic shelter built to match the design of the original buildings was begun next to the concessions.

A renovation of the bandshell took place beginning in 2023, which included envelope and roof repair and replacement, along with accessibility improvements to the refectory facilities and restrooms.

[9][10] A preserved section of the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line runs between Bde Maka Ska and the Lake Harriet bandshell area.

On the walking path near where Queen Avenue meets the perimeter drive around the lake, there is an "elf house" carved into the base of an ash tree.

Lakewood Cemetery is located between the southeast side of Bde Maka Ska and the north shoreline of Lake Harriet.

Some guideline restrictions have been placed on the consumption of bluegill, carp, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, white sucker, and yellow perch from the lake, because of contamination with mercury and PFOS.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials speculated it may have been released into the lake when young by a fisheries employee during the mid-20th century.

It is also possible the fish was a descendant of sturgeon which migrated into the lake thousands of years ago, prior to the formation of Minnehaha Falls.