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Expanded Rec Center Hours

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) continues to transition its 47 recreation centers to pre-COVID-19 services and hours of operation.
 
All MPRB recreation centers are currently offering scheduled registered and ActivePass programs Monday-Saturday, with five sites offering pre-registered programs on Sunday. Search all available activities at minneapolisparks.org/register.
 
Recreation centers will begin offering general public hours starting Nov. 29, with the following phased approach:
Monday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 19
•    All recreation centers open Monday-Friday, 3-7 pm.
•    Drop-in recreation opportunities available during those public open hours.
•    Recreation centers open outside of public open hours and Saturdays and Sundays only for pre-registered and ActivePass programs.
•    Youth sports games begin at various sites with spectators allowed.

Monday, Dec. 20-Tuesday, Dec. 30
(Minneapolis Public Schools Winter Break)
•    All recreation centers open on School Release Days, Monday-Friday, Noon-7 pm.
•    Drop-in recreation opportunities available during those public open hours. 
o    Note: all recreation centers will be closed and programming cancelled Dec. 24-25 and Dec. 31-Jan. 1 in observance of Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Monday, January 3, 2022, and onward
•    All recreation centers open Monday-Friday, 3-9 pm.
•    All recreation centers open Saturdays, Noon-6 pm.
•    Northeast, Farview, East Phillips, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Pearl recreation centers open Sundays, Noon-6 pm.
•    Drop-in recreation opportunities will be available during those public open hours.

Masks Required
During all phases of reopening, masks will be required for all recreation center visitors, including instructors and sport spectators, as directed by MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura.


Apply to Serve
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking applications for community appointments to five ongoing Advisory Boards and Committees:
•    Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Board – One (1) Opening
•    Minneapolis Tree Advisory Commission – Five (5) Openings
•    Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee – Three (3) Openings
•    Racial Equity Advisory Committee – One (1) Opening
•    Homegrown Minneapolis Food Council – One (1) Opening
Use the application linked below to apply for any of the above openings:
Board Appointments Online Application
 
You may also download an application from the MPRB Committee Appointments page or call MPRB Customer Service at 612-230-6400 to request an application, fill it out and submit it via email or mail:
•    Email to board.appointments@minneapolisparks.org 
•    Mail to Board Secretary; Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board; 2117 West River Road North; Minneapolis MN 55417
Service commitment may vary based upon needs, expectations and policy goals. However, most committee members can expect to approximately 10-15 hours of work per month.
 
Terms for the appointments for the Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Board and Minneapolis Tree Advisory are one-year and there are no term limits. Terms for the Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee, Racial Equity Advisory Committee and Minneapolis Homegrown Food Council are two-years and some term limits may apply.
 
Some Boards/Commissions have a need for specialized skills, but most people will find a Board or Commission that is a great fit for their knowledge base. Public members of Board and Commissions are people who may not have regular, ongoing experience in a specific topic area, but have a general interest in a Board or Commission’s work area. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about an area of interest and contribute a fresh and unique perspective. 
 
Applications are due by 4:30 pm on Friday, December 3, 2021.  Following submission, applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of the application and describing the general process for appointment. Appointments for open positions will be made at the January 4, 2021 meeting of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. For a full description of each committee and to complete the application please visit: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/abca.
 
Applicants with questions about the appointments process should email their questions to board.appointments@minneapolisparks.org.
 
Use the link below to sign up for email notifications for advisory committee opportunities:
 
Committee and Advisory Board Appointments Email Subscription
 

 

Trees in Sewer Construction Area

With the multi year construction disruption at Minnehaha Parkway adjacent to the Longfellow Gardens and Minnehaha Park roundabout ending, I'm happy to share that 80+ new trees will be planted in this area in the spring of 2022 to replace the canopy lost with necessary tree removals during this project. 

 

Restoration Work of Historic Buildings

At the historic Ard Godfrey House in Northeast, siding was restored this fall by participants in the Community Productive Day Program, part of Hennepin County Government's Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation. Participants earn a livable wage while learning transferable skills; by successfully completing the program, they earn a general carpentry skills certificate and are eligible for union jobs. Thanks to Hennepin County for partnering with the park board as we restore Minneapolis parks and invest in young people. This project was a pilot, that has set the stage for two projects to be undertaken next year at the Stevens and Longfellow houses in Minnehaha Park. 
 

Superintendent's Recommended Budget

Superintendent Bangora's proposed budget is under review by the board of commissioners. The document in its entirety, as well as related documents, including the superintendent's presentation, and commissioner questions can be found here: www.minneapolisparks.org/budget. I am interested to hear what you think of it. In addition to contacting commissioners directly, there are several public comment opportunities left before the board considers it for adoption: 

December 1, 2021 - Full Board
Public Comment on the Superintendent's Recommended 2021 Budget during open time, time certain 5:30pm
December 8th, 2021
Truth & Taxation Public Hearing on Tax Levy and Budget
Help direct grant funding through the People for Parks Fund at the Minneapolis Parks Foundation! Learn more about applying to join the People for Parks Fund Advisory Committee here.

Planning Projects

 

Master Plan Amendments for Pickleball


The Latest: I've received quite a few questions about if this change will displace the bike skills course to the north of the parkway. It does not. The pilot skills course will remain in place until a purpose built skills course is implemented.  The Nokomis-Hiawatha master plan calls for those courts to be rebuilt as tennis courts. The Minnehaha Creek Master plan calls for the bike skills course to have a purpose built home where dilapidated tennis courts are present at 34th street along the creek. 
 
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) just launched a new project that will explore building new pickleball courts at Loring Park and next to Lake Nokomis Community Center in response to significant community desire for more opportunities to play pickleball in Minneapolis parks.
 
The first dedicated pickleball courts in the Minneapolis park system are scheduled to open at Dickman Park in northeast Minneapolis next spring. This project will consider amending three park master plans to add more opportunities for pickleball.
 
Loring Park
The long-term plan for Loring Park is in the Downtown Service Area Master Plan, which includes long-term plans all downtown Minneapolis park properties. It was approved in 2017.
 
This project proposes an amendment to the Downtown Service Area Master Plan that would add two pickleball-specific courts near the tennis courts in Loring Park.
 
Lake Nokomis Community Center
This project proposes to convert two tennis courts next to Lake Nokomis Community Center to 3-4 dedicated pickleball courts and add pickleball striping to the tennis courts near the intersection of Minnehaha Parkway and Bloomington Avenue.
 
The Minnehaha Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan is a long-term plan for all parkland and trails along Minnehaha Creek through Minneapolis, except for areas by Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha, which are covered by the Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan.
 
The Minnehaha Parkway Master Plan includes dedicated pickleball courts near the intersection of Minnehaha Parkway and Bloomington Avenue. Community feedback received over the past year identified Lake Nokomis Community Center as better location for pickleball courts. 
 
This project would amend the Minnehaha Parkway Master Plan to retain the tennis courts at the intersection of the parkway and Bloomington Avenue with new pickleball striping, and amend the Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan to convert the two tennis courts immediately adjacent to the Nokomis Community Center to 3-4 dedicated pickleball courts.  
 
Get Involved
There are two ways to have your voice heard in this process:
Take Pickleball Plan Survey
Fill out a brief survey to share your thoughts on proposed pickleball courts in Minneapolis parks. Share the survey with anyone who may be interested: surveymonkey.com/r/PickleballPlans
 
Sign up for Email Updates
Visit the Pickleball Plan Amendments project page and enter your email into the "Subscribe to Email Updates" box to sign up for email updates on this project. Additional opportunities to provide input will happen throughout the fall and winter, and the best way to stay up-to-date is to sign up for email updates. 
 
Community feedback about these possible changes will determine whether MPRB staff will bring amendments to the Board of Commissioners for consideration. If approved, all the courts considered in this project could be constructed or renovated in 2022.
 

Master Planning for Hiawatha Golf Course Property


The Latest: Nothing new to report at this time.

The master plan was not adopted on July 21st. There is no approved master plan for this site, and park staff is working with the Minnesota DNR to understand the permitting process to continue dewatering to enable current use of the site. 

Please visit the project page for more information and to sign up for notification of project updates.

 

The Latest:
Nothing new to report at this time.

The board has approved the design for this playground and construction is anticipated to begin in spring of 2022.

This project will update the playground at Pearl Park to meet current safety and accessibility standards.

For more information and to subscribe to updates for this project, please visit the project page or reach out to the project contact: Francisca Pass at 612.499.9074 or via email at fpass@minneapolisparks.org.
 

Sibley Park Capital Improvements


Engagement is underway for this project. 

Learn more about this project and subscribe to updates here: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/park_care__improvements/park_projects/current_projects/sibley-park-improvements/

Project Contact: 

Siciid Ali
Phone: 612-230-6576
Email: sali@minneapolisparks.org
 

Keewaydin Park Capital Improvements


The Latest: A public hearing on the concept plan for Phase 1 Play Area Improvements at Keewaydin Park will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 6:30pm.

The hearing allows individuals to comment on the concept plan by speaking to the Board of Commissioners or submitting written comments; see details on these options below.
The Phase 1 concept plan (pictured above and available on the project website) includes decommissioning the existing pool and addition of the following features in a new play area:

Climbable stacked boulder hills and walls

Free-standing bouldering monoliths

Zip line

Separate age 2-5 and 5-12 play zones with adventure towers

Creative nature play area with art and performance spaces

Sand play area, slides, basket swing, and spinner

Native plantings and naturalized stormwater area

Picnic areas and seating

Next steps for the project:

Board approval: Following the public hearing before MPRB’s Planning Committee, the full Board of Commissioners will consider approving the concept plan.
Final design, construction bids: With Board approval, project staff will develop a final design for the project and receive bids from construction contractors.
Construction: With a successful bid, project construction is planned to begin in summer 2022, with completion in fall 2022.

How to submit public hearing comments

Currently, virtual Board meetings are authorized under Minn. Stat. 13D.021, due to the local public health emergency (novel coronavirus pandemic). Members of the public are not permitted inside the Mary Merrill Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Headquarters for Board meetings.
Community members who wish to offer comments may call into the meeting or send written comments to be included in the record and shared with Commissioners, who attend Board meetings remotely by telephone or other electronic means.

Call (recommended):
To provide comments by phone during the public hearing, complete the Virtual Speaker Signup Form before 12 noon on December 1.

Speakers will receive a call-in number and conference ID one hour before the meeting

Speakers call into the meeting at the scheduled time using the call-in number and conference ID

Speakers enter the meeting and the committee chair provides guidance for commenting

Speakers can watch the usual meeting broadcast

Be aware of the 20-30 second lag between the call and the broadcast

Please turn off the broadcast sound when called on to speak

Write:
Send comments by 12 noon on December 1 to jringold@minneapolisparks.org.
Board meetings are broadcast live via web and TV options; videos of past meetings appear on MPRB's Board meetings playlist on YouTube

Project contact:
Colleen O'Dell, senior planner
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
612-230-6469 | codell@minneapolisparks.org

Learn more about this project and subscribe to project updates on the project page. 

Project contact is Colleen O'Dell
Phone: 612-230-6469
Email: codell@minneapolisparks.org
 

McRae Park Capital Improvements

 To ensure you’re notified of engagement activities and feedback opportunities on this project I recommend subscribing to govdelivery notices for this project on the project page. 
Project Manager: Francisca Pass at 612.499.9074 or via email at fpass@minneapolisparks.org.

Construction

Changes to Cedar/Edgewater/Lake Nokomis Parkway

Staff and elected officials at the park board, City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County have heard and continue to listen to the community’s concerns regarding Cedar Avenue and the Cedar/Edgewater/Nokomis intersection area. Using input from past community engagement and conversations, as well as data and analysis by engineering staff, we are continuing safety improvements along this corridor.

In the last year, the county and city installed enhanced speed signs on Cedar Avenue and temporary delineators to create a center median and bumpouts at Edgewater Boulevard. Moving forward, the county is working with MnDOT and the city to replace the temporary delineators with a permanent raised center median, permanent bumpouts, and upgraded pedestrian curb ramps at Edgewater Boulevard. These improvements will be constructed next year with a MnDOT pavement preservation project (more information here: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy77bloomington-mpls/)
 

Minnehaha Creek Parkway Regional Trail Master Plan Implementation

The latest: Proposed Improvements are as follows
• Upgrading crosswalk markings, expanding curb ramps and installing a raised crossing on the south side of the intersection where the trails cross.
• Widening the bike and pedestrian trail south of E Minnehaha Parkway between E 50th Street and Portland Avenue, and along Minnehaha Creek south of the intersection.
◦ To provide more space for boulevard tree roots and improve trail quality, the trail segment between E 50th Street and Portland Avenue will be reconstructed farther south, but will remain entirely within MPRB property.
• Reworking E Minnehaha Parkway just south of E 50th Street to create an aligned 3-way stop, which will create a safer and user friendly experience for all modes.
◦ The parking bay immediately south of the intersection will need to be removed to preserve as many healthy and mature trees as possible.
• Converting E Minnehaha Parkway frontage roads to one-way streets to calm traffic and improve safety at intersections.
• Other possible improvements include installing medians on E 50th Street and Portland Avenue to help direct traffic flow on the frontage roads. Per the Master Plan, vehicle flow will remain continuous on the main Parkway road.
View Schematic Design

The MPRB plans to bid the project over Winter 2021-22 and have the work performed throughout Spring-Summer 2022.

If any remaining funding is available after implementation of changes in this location, prioritization of additional potential projects will be discussed with the community. 

To receive notifications about this project as it progresses, please subscribe to updates on the project page.

Lake Nokomis Shoreline Enhancements

The Latest: In the next few weeks some cool-season spraying will be done to target invasive vegetation like Reed Canary Grass. All spraying will follow Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Pest Management Guidelines. In late Spring, additional spot spraying and mowing is planned to keep invasive species in check. Additional maintenance practices will be employed in 2021 to help develop these new native areas.

Project goals included:
Repairing damaged and eroded shoreline areas.
Removing overstory growth.
Replacing large areas of mowed turf with a wide array of native seed to control erosion and promote water quality.

This work is part of a long-term effort to increase the amount of natural landscape within the park. 

Work originally began in the fall of 2019 and was largely complete by the end of 2019, with development of new native seed species during the 2020 growing season. 
 
Due to the pre-existing turf and invasive weed bed that previously existed, additional over-seeding with the native seed mix was required in 2020. Proper establishment of native seed generally takes several years before a strong presence of the native plants can establish and thrive, with little to no competition from invasive plants. 
 
In 2021, additional maintenance and establishment efforts will be done to help promote the establishment of these new native areas. The temporary fencing will stay up through at least the 2021 growing season to help protect these areas. 

Please stay out of the native seed areas and only use intended lake access locations to access the lake. 

More information about this project is available here: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/park_care__improvements/park_projects/current_projects/lake_nokomis_shoreline_enhancements/

Want to help stabilize one of the lake access locations experiencing serious erosion? Click here for info on the Friends of Lake Nokomis fundraising effort: https://www.givemn.org/story/Loljff



About this Project:

A Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage grant is funding restoration of almost 4,800 linear feet of shoreline along north and northeastern shore of Lake Nokomis. This area of shoreline was selected due to increased erosion that has occurred along much of this area.

This project was identified as part of the 2015 Nokomis-Hiawatha Master Plan, which calls for increasing naturalized areas to improve water quality, stabilize shorelines and increase habitat. New native vegetation will extend from the shoreline to within four feet of the walking path.

Shoreline enhancements will improve habitat for both aquatic and upland animal species. It will stabilize erosion, seek to remove invasive plants, and create a functional continuum of shoreline zones. Plantings will accommodate fluctuations in water level, allowing for resilience to changing water level conditions in the lake. Improvements will be constructed primarily along the north shoreline of the lake. 

This project has received regulatory approval. The United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) and the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) have completed review of the Lake Nokomis Shoreline Enhancements project. SHPO concluded the proposed improvements have no adverse effects to the Grand Rounds Historic District and USACE permitted the project for proposed bank stabilization measures.

Project Design

The proposed design uses three different planting zones along the shoreline. 

The Emergent Wetland Zone starts at the ordinary high-water level (OHWL) and extends into the lake. Once established, new aquatic plants will reduce wave energy to help reduce erosion. A temporary fence will be installed to help plants establish. 

The Shoreline Buffer Zone lies between the OHWL and wetland boundary. It will be planted with a seed mix that's compatible with shoreline environmental elements.

The Upland Buffer Zone starts at the wetland boundary and extends away from the lake until four feet from the paved trail. It will be planted with a seed mix that's compatible with upland environmental elements. The four-foot strip will be mowed grass. Another temporary fence will also protect new planting areas and connect to the emergent wetland fence.

A variety of access points will still remain so park users can still access the lake.

Questions about this project can be sent to the project manager, Jon Duesman. 

Subscribe to the project page to receive updates.

Phelps Park Improvements



Phase 2 improvements 

  • Redesign and renovation of the athletic field in the south area of the park to improve drainage, turf quality and overall play quality
  • Design and construction of a new splash pad to replace the wading pool

Construction is underway on a new splash pad at Phelps Park! The design includes a large open area with a variety of spray jets to run through and around, and a large mist sprayer at the center.

The new splash pad will be built at the location of the old wading pool, marking the latest round of improvements at Phelps Park after new play equipment debuted last year.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) staff are currently working through the final permitting phase and expect splash pad construction to begin mid-September 2021 and continue throughout fall 2021. Any remaining work will be completed in early 2022 and the splash pad will open in summer 2022.

 The park board has entered into a fundraising agreement to upgrade the field to artificial turf with the Phelps  Activities Council which has delayed the implementation of field improvements while funding is sought to expand them. 

Final Schematic Design Concept [PDF]

Questions about this project should be directed to the project manager : Jon Duesman,  jduesman@minneapolisparks.org.

Subscribe to the project page to receive updates. 
 

20 Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20)

In 2016, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the City of Minneapolis approved ordinances to reverse years of underfunding in neighborhood parks. The 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20) is a long-term initiative that will transform the neighborhood park system with the following measures:

  • Protect current levels of MPRB funding.
  • Dedicate an additional $11 million annually, through 2036, in NPP20 funds for increased maintenance, rehabilitation and capital investments in neighborhood parks.
  • Allocate NPP20 funds using a data-driven, criteria-based system to help address racial and economic equity.
Commissioner Musich represents the fifth park district in the South East corner of Minneapolis.

Hello from the 5th District!

If you're not interested in receiving emails like this one, please scroll to the bottom and click on unsubscribe to remove yourself from the list.


Commissioner Musich sends out newsletters about what's happening in the fifth park district periodically.  Previous newsletters can be found here.

In this issue!

Goals

Communicate with residents about what's happening in the district. Suggest your neighbors subscribe to this newsletter! Subscription page: http://eepurl.com/QZ_-9

Broaden access to youth sports and environmental education.

Utilize a systemic approach to capital improvements and planning processes to ensure that investments being made build on system wide goals and are done equitably.

Enhance natural areas management to increase their ecological function.

Support good governance through transparency and collaboration.


Background 

Commissioner Musich has a BA in English Literature from the University of Minnesota, and has worked in the banking industry for the past 19 years, six of them as a Corporate Accountant and for the past ten years in various capacities on an IT team.  Along with several other neighborhood residents, she started the Friends of Lake Nokomis, a non-profit stewardship and advocacy group that partners with local government agencies and other non-profits to protect, preserve and improve Lake Nokomis and its surrounding park.  She has also served the community as a University of Minnesota Master Gardener with Hennepin County.   


Special Interests 

The commissioner, along with her husband and son have converted the lawns of their urban lot just south of Lake Nokomis into a small urban  farm with honeybees in a second story apiary, plum trees, a cider apple tree, lingonberry and blueberry bushes, grape vines, a vegetable plot and herb gardens.  To bring more pollinators to their gardens, established perennial beds have been slowly converted to house native plants, and turf has been over seeded with yarrow, marjoram, tickweed, ground plum, creeping thyme, calico aster and clover and a green roof prairie was incorporated into the rebuilding of their garage. Learn about Bee Lawns and Green Roofs. 

Avid volunteers, hikers, cyclists, skiers, canoists, sailors and swimmers you can often find them volunteering, hiking or cruising the trails, swimming or boating throughout the system. While recuperating from outdoor adventures, the commissioner can be found immersed in a book.

Current reading selection: The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey.   


 

Discover Your Next Park Adventure!

Recreation Fee Assistance

Minneapolis residents who cannot afford instructional fees because of economic need may apply for fee assistance through the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Fee Assistance Program.
 
Questions? Contact your local recreation center (Recreation Center List) or the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board information line at 612-230-6400 or info@minneapolisparks.org

Each year, through generous donations from corporate sponsors and local musicians, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board puts on concerts and shows films throughout the summer season. I add all of the events occurring in or very near the 5th district to my Facebook events to make it easier for you to find something fun, and free to do that's close to home. So pack a picnic, pump up the tires on your bike and head to a park near you for some free and fun entertainment this summer!
Family Nature Club

Parks on Social Media
Lake Hiawatha Park
Minnehaha Park
Morris Park
Keewaydin Park
Hiawatha Golf Course
Elmer the Elm Tree

Help Minneapolis Parks Flourish
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