(ARCHIVED) Urban Agriculture Activity Plan We have adopted an activity plan to increase support for urban agriculture within the park system.

Project History

2015 – present

• Project Implementation Team appointed and work begins
• See Team Roster [PDF]

August 6, 2014

• Board Approval – Urban Agriculture Activity Plan – Regular Meeting

July 16, 2014

• Board Approval – Urban Agriculture Activity Plan – Planning Committee
• Approved Urban Ag Activity Plan [PDF]
• Urban Ag Activity Plan Addendum [PDF]

May 21, 2014

• Public Hearing

May 10, 2014

• News release – Public Hearing Notice – Urban Agriculture Activity Plan
• Board Approval – Urban Agriculture Activity Plan – Public Hearing

December 31, 2013

• Public comment for Activity Plan Summary

November 7, 2013

• News release – Urban Agriculture Activity Plan Released for Public Comment

November 6, 2013

• Board Approval – Resolution Authorizing 45-day Public Review and Comment Period on Draft Plan
• Activity Plan Draft [PDF]

November-December, 2012

• Public Meetings Summary

October 31, 2012

• News release – Development of Urban Agriculture Activity Plan Breaks Ground

Activity plans define our service delivery goals for a particular recreation activity city-wide. These plans determine the resources required to successfully achieve plan goals in service to residents and park visitors. This plan recommends three major goals and related strategies, and guides allocation of resources to support urban agriculture activities within the neighborhood and regional parks. Increasing numbers of Minneapolis residents are actively engaged in various forms of urban agriculture within Minneapolis. The MPRB Board of Commissioners recognizes the many benefits of a sustainable, local food system and has supported community gardening activities since 2002 by resolution [PDF]. The Urban Agriculture activity plan was developed through an extensive community engagement process and contains recommendations related to policy, facility, program, and service improvements to better support urban agriculture activities within the park system. The project supports the following Vision Theme, Goal and Strategy of the MPRB Comprehensive Plan [PDF]:

• Vision Theme: Dynamic Parks that shape city character and meet diverse community needs.
• Goal: Park facility renewal and development respects history and focuses on sustainability, accessibility, flexibility and beauty
• Strategy: Systematically develop activity plans that outline the delivery goals, benefits, facilities, operations, and maintenance required to provide each major recreation activity (or group of similar activities) in the park system. Use these plans to guide capital improvement and facility maintenance programs.

On Wednesday, August 6th, 2014 the Board of Commissioners adopted the Urban Agriculture Activity Plan at its regular meeting. As the plan moves into an implementation phase, residents and park visitors can look forward to increased visibility and support for urban agriculture and over time, experience the benefits these activities provide to personal health and well-being, the local economy, and our environment. This plan incorporates the feedback of advisory committees, residents and volunteers and includes a digital addendum to be updated as new policy, procedure or tools are adopted over the years of plan implementation. The plan will help inform future budget strategies and park master plans, and be integrated into the revision of our 2007-2020 Comprehensive Plan.