History

The city of Minneapolis is incorporated in 1856. Citizen Edward Murphy donates land for a park, now known as Murphy Square. An act of the Minnesota Legislature enables the city to hold an election to determine if an independent Park Board would be established.

Citizens vote and the Board of Park Commissioners (BPC) is established. The 12 commissioners appointed by the Legislature elect Charles Loring, a miller, as the BPC’s first president. Horace Cleveland, noted landscape architect, recommends a system of parks and parkways that focus on natural features. The BPC acquires 80 acres of parkland. James J. Hill completes construction of the Stone Arch Bridge.

The BPC hires Captain William Morse Berry as Superintendent of Parks in 1885. During his 20 years of service major acquisitions include the Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Falls, Saratoga Springs-Glenwood (now part of Theodore Wirth Regional Park), Powderhorn, Minnehaha Parkway, Columbia, East River Bank, and The Parade

Theodore Wirth is appointed Superintendent of Parks in 1906. Portions of Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles are dredged, parkways and paths constructed, park buildings, golf courses and concession stands opened, and recreation programs provided. The Wild Botanic Garden opens in 1907. The creation of the Chain of Lakes is celebrated in 1911.

The Great Depression results in numerous federally funded park projects. Through the WPA and at Wirth’s direction, lagoons are dug, bridges built, creeks rerouted, roads constructed, sidewalks poured, playgrounds installed, gardens planted and art and music programs provided. Christian Bossen becomes Superintendent of Parks in 1935. He fights to preserve jobs and provide quality services to the public during this economically disastrous time.

World War II results in the temporary loss of many employees and numerous park projects are put on hold. Following the war, the GI Bill allowed for massive rehiring and hiring of veterans. Charles Doell is appointed Superintendent of Parks in 1945. The post-war period brings a demand for more playgrounds, open space, athletic fields and year-round recreation programs.

Loring Cascade is demolished and the Auto Tourist Camp at Minnehaha Falls closed. A pipeline is constructed from Bassett’s Creek to Brownie Lake to add water to the Chain of Lakes. Charles Moore is appointed Superintendent of Parks in 1959. The Gateway Park buildings in downtown Minneapolis are demolished.

The Salk polio vaccine is made available to the public and creates conditions where people can gather in groups to socialize and recreate together once again, without the fear of health problems. Robert Ruhe is appointed Superintendent of Parks in 1966. The BPC adopts a “no net loss” land policy. Gateway Park becomes part of a downtown Minneapolis urban renewal project and the Phelps Fountain is moved to Lyndale Park. In 1969, as a result of one of the recommendations of the Brightbill Study, the BPC changes its name to the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Almost all existing recreation building structures are demolished and rebuilt. Standardized design elements identify and unify the Grand Rounds parkway system. A rare prairie remnant along West River Parkway is protected. Dutch elm disease decimates the city’s trees. Invasive species begin their incursion. Women join the maintenance and horticulture divisions. City demographics begin to shift away from a homogenous population. Charlie Spears is appointed Superintendent of Parks in 1978.

David Fisher is appointed Superintendent of Parks in 1981. The Mississippi riverfront is transformed from an industrial area to residential, commercial and entertainment area. Acquisition and development of parks, open space and related amenities along the river becomes a priority for the Park Board. Major projects include Boom Island, the Sculpture Garden and a new bandstand at Lake Harriet. Elmer the Elm Tree is kidnapped. J.D. Rivers’ Children’s Garden opens. The first woman arborist is hired and women are promoted to supervisors for the first time in the Maintenance and Park Police departments. Two major youth initiatives begin: Teen Teamworks and Rec Plus. In 1989, the Park Board receives National Recreation and Park Association’s Gold Medal Award for Excellence.

The Clean Water Partnership is formed and includes the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, City of Minneapolis, City of St. Louis Park, Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and Minnesota Environmental Protection Agency. The Clean Water Partnership works to improve surface water quality and the Chain of Lakes watershed through coordinated efforts such as the construction of wetlands, grit chambers, street sweeping, public education and other best management practices. The Youthline program begins. Park Police use bikes and horses for patrol. The negative impact of unchecked invasive species is fully realized, and efforts begin to remove them. Eurasian milfoil harvesting begins. Major projects are the Cedar Lake Trail, Bassett’s Creek Trail, Phase II of the Sculpture Garden, Minnehaha Park, the Stone Arch Bridge, Loring Park and wetlands at Bde Maka Ska. David Fisher retires in 1999. Mary Merrill Anderson is appointed Superintendent of Parks; she is the first African American and first female Superintendent and served from 1999 through 2003. In 2009, she is named Superintendent Emeritus in recognition of her contributions.

The Kroening Interpretive Center, Mill Ruins Park, the Neiman Sports Complex, Edward C. Solomon Park, Longfellow Gardens and a first-time-ever Headquarters building are dedicated. Mary Merrill Anderson retires. Jon Gurban is appointed Superintendent of Parks in 2004. MPRB celebrates its 125th Anniversary in 2008. The Foundation for Minneapolis Parks publishes the book, City of Parks, which tells stories of how Minneapolis acquired its revered parks and how the park system became an important contributor to the quality of life in all parts of the city.

Jayne Miller is appointed Superintendent of Parks in November 2010. The RiverFirst initiative grows out of a 2010 international design competition envisioning a network of parks and trails along the Mississippi Riverfront north of downtown. Sheridan Memorial Park opens on the northeast Minneapolis riverfront in 2014. Other major park projects are the Webber Natural Swimming Pool, reconstruction of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Phillips Pool and The Trailhead in Wirth Park. In 2016 MPRB reaches a deal with the City of Minneapolis to fund neighborhood park revitalization. Called the 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan, it provides millions of dollars annually for up to 20 years dedicated to maintenance, rehabilitation and capital improvements at neighborhood parks. In 2017, a criteria-based system for regional trail and trail capital scheduling is established, and also equity criteria for allocating recreation center funding is established. In early 2018, Miller resigns to accept another position. Superintendent Emeritus Mary Merrill serves as interim Superintendent from February 5, 2018 through January 20, 2019. At its Dec 5 2018 meeting, Park Board Commissioners pass a resolution that renames the MPRB Headquarters building to the Mary Merrill MPRB Headquarters. Al Bangoura is appointed Superintendent of Parks in January 2019. MPRB is named the number one park system in America by the Trust for Public Land in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

In 2020 and through 2021, Superintendent Bangoura responds to the COVID pandemic and manages the impacts on the organization, with a focus on the safety of park guests and employees while providing the best services possible during these challenging times. In 2021, most park services and activities resumed to near normal. In 2021, the MPRB adopts Parks For All the MPRB 2021-2036 comprehensive plan and several signature and iconic amenities opened. Through the Minneapolis Park Foundation’s RiverFirst capital campaign that raised $18.1 million, two Mississippi riverfront amenities opened – the 26^th Avenue Overlook in North Minneapolis and Water Works park area and pavilion, which includes the Owamni by the Sioux Chef, the first Indigenous restaurant in the park system. Additional first-time openings in 2021 included clay tennis courts at Waveland Triangle Park, the first free public clay tennis court facility in the Twin Cities, and the Elliot Park premier street-style skate park.