Elected officials and community leaders participate in a groundbreaking ceremony at North Commons Park on July 29, 2025
Improvements include adding the Minneapolis park system’s first modern-day fieldhouse, rebuilding the North Commons Water Park, and renovating the North Commons Community Center
Today, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, a range of government and community leaders, philanthropic supporters and neighborhood residents joined the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Minneapolis Parks Foundation (MPF) at North Commons Park to commemorate the start of construction on the largest-ever investment in a Minneapolis neighborhood park.
The 25.7-acre park is situated in the heart of North Minneapolis at 1801 James Ave. N and has served as a flagship neighborhood park for the Minneapolis park system since it was built in 1907.
“North Commons Park holds meaning and memories for generations of people,” said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura. “Today we celebrate years of work with the community to create an exciting vision that builds on the park’s history to better serve future generations. I’m incredibly grateful for the support North Commons receives from our federal, state, and local government partners, as well as the Minneapolis Parks Foundation and its generous supporters.”
An illustration shows North Commons Park from above after work is complete
Water Park, Fieldhouse and Community Center Details
This transformative project replaces and updates two longstanding community assets: the North Commons Water Park and North Commons Community Center. It also constructs the first modern fieldhouse in the Minneapolis park system, adding 51,000 square feet to meet longstanding demand for athletic space and flexibility for a range of other recreation programs and community events.
These facilities are located in the northeast corner of the park. The green space and mature, top-quality tree stands at the south end of the park will be preserved.
Project features include:
- New 22,000 square-foot fieldhouse quintuples indoor space for athletics and events and includes ramp, stair and elevator access to three full-size gyms and main-level walking track
- New entry lobby/lounge, concessions, fitness space and water park facilities on the west side of the fieldhouse
- Renovated and reconfigured community center with an enlarged teen room, kitchen, maker spaces for crafting, wellness, and activities for older adults, and an open lounge area
- New 40,000 square-foot water park accommodates 600+ people with a six-lane lap/open swim pool, separate areas for wading and deeper-water activities, two slides and a plunge area
- Enhanced south-side plaza and paths to North High School
An illustration shows the north entry plaza after work is complete at North Commons Park
New Artwork
Five site-specific artworks have been commissioned for North Commons Park. Locations and artists are listed below:
- Fieldhouse Exterior: Roger and Chango Cummings, through the City of Minneapolis Public Art program
- Interior Lobby: Mia Jennings
- Youth Lounge: Shade Pratt
- Fieldhouse Wall: Geno Okok
- Street-level windows along James Avenue N: Briauna Williams
Minneapolis Parks Foundation Campaign
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation (MPF) is the primary philanthropic partner of the MPRB. MPF led the fundraising efforts for Water Works at Mill Ruins Park, Water Works Pavilion, and the 26th Avenue North Overlook. Its People for Parks Fund has supported dozens of projects and activities throughout the Minneapolis park system since it started four years ago.
In early 2024, the MPF launched a fundraising campaign for this project, Transforming North Commons Park. Strong, early support from generous donors and philanthropists included a $10 million gift – the largest single gift in MPF history – as part of a commitment to raise $20 million for the historic campaign. MPF has $3.8 million remaining toward its fundraising goal.
“This is more than a park project. It’s an investment in equity, community, and the future of North Minneapolis,” says Jocelyn Hale, Interim Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of so many donors, we’re proud to help bring a bold community vision to life with our $20 million campaign to transform North Commons Park into a place of opportunity, connection, and joy for generations to come.”
More about the Transforming North Commons Park campaign
An illustration shows the walking track and gym/event space at a new fieldhouse under construction at North Commons Park
Federal, State, Local and Community Support
Federal, state, and city government also came together to support the largest neighborhood park investment in the history of the Minneapolis park system.
Support from elected officials has been essential in the effort to turn exciting visions for North Common’s future into reality. Thank you to Rep. Ilhan Omar, state Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, state Reps. Fue Lee and Ester Agbaje, and Mayor Frey for their commitment to North Minneapolis, North Commons Park and the Minneapolis park system! To date, this monumental effort has received $12.2 million from the MPRB, $5.125 million from state infrastructure funding, $3 million from City of Minneapolis American Rescue Plan Act funding, $2 million from federal appropriations funding, and a $472,000 grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
The transformation of North Commons Park would not have been possible without the support of the community. North Minneapolis residents and advocates inspired this project’s vision long before the North Service Area Long-Range Plan was approved by MPRB Commissioners in 2019, and provided critical feedback throughout the planning process to ensure that these improvements were guided by local voices and ideas.
Construction Impacts
Construction fences currently enclose the park’s northeast corner, including the water park site and parking lot, but North Commons Community Center and most of North Commons Park will remain open into 2026. Robust programming continues at North Commons this summer, including fully discountable summer swimming field trips to Jim Lupient Water Park, Webber Natural Swimming Pool, and Wirth Beach, offered to Northside families while the pool is not operating.
Fencing will shift and the community center will close when construction starts on the community center renovation in 2026. The project will be completed in phases, expected to finish in 2027.
Information and updates are available monthly at the community center, as well as by email and on the project web page.