News

A concept for a gathering space at Bde Maka Ska is expected by mid-summer, with public art concepts by fall 2017

Bees and other wildlife count on these first arriving flowers for survival.

Minneapolis Repeats as Nation’s Best Park System; Saint Paul Places Second on Trust for Public Land’s 2017 ParkScore® Index. Twin Cities Repeat Last Year’s 1-2 Finish, holding off a Surging San Francisco. Both Park Systems Earn Perfect “5-Bench” Rating.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is offering free golf clinics on Tuesday, June 6, as the only outdoor green space in the region hosting Women's Golf Day events.

Help keep Minneapolis swimming with the Minneapolis Parks Swimsuit Drive!

Donate your gently used men's, women's and children's swimsuits at the nearest Minneapolis park facility

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation (MPRB) wants all park visitors to be able to use and enjoy Jim Lupient and North Commons Water Parks and the Weber Natural Swimming Pool (Webber NSP). Appropriate swimwear (no shorts or underwear, men's and boy's swimsuits must have a liner) is required at these facilities to help keep water clean and safe for all users, and park staff realize that can be a barrier for some swimmers.

The MPRB just launched the Minneapolis Parks Swimsuit Drive to collect new or gently used men's, women's or children's swimsuits and help more people enjoy swimming this summer. Here's how it works:

• New and gently used swimsuits are being collected May 8-Sept 4 (Labor Day)
• You can donate swimsuits at all 47 MPRB recreation centers, MPRB headquarters and, once they are open, North Commons and Jim Lupient Water Parks and Webber NSP.
• Starting this summer, patrons can come to Lupient, North Commons and Webber NSP and receive a swimsuit at no cost. 
• The suit is theirs to keep and use for the season.
• Swimsuit size availability depends on supply.
• There will also be a limited number of burkinis available for those who request one.

Stop by a Minneapolis park facility near you and donate today to help keep the city swimming!

Statewide parks association recognizes Minneapolis Parks for 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan 

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board presented the 2017 Winter Youth Sportsmanship Awards to four neighborhood park sports coaches and their teams and to nine individual youth at the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 3.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to compete for prestigious honor in the park and recreation industry

The updated Tobacco Policy passed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Board of Commissioners at its March 8, 2017 MPRB meeting goes into effect today, May 8.

The new policy has the MPRB joining nearly 30 other metro area park systems in becoming completely tobacco free by prohibiting the use of all tobacco products on Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board lands and in Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board owned and/or operated facilities.

The Park Board’s previous Smoking/Tobacco Use Policy, approved in 2009, did not address the use of chewing tobacco or electronic cigarettes (e-cigs). The new tobacco policy expands to address both of these uses as well.  The new policy also honors traditional Native American spiritual or cultural ceremonies.

The new policy defines "tobacco product" as any product that is made from or derived from tobacco, or that contains nicotine, that is intended for human consumption or is likely to be consumed. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, electronic delivery devices and any component or accessory used in the consumption of a tobacco product, such as filters, rolling papers, pipes, and substances used in electronic delivery devices, whether or not they contain nicotine.  The policy does not include use of tobacco for a traditional Native American spiritual or cultural ceremony if approved by the MPRB.

The first year of the policy’s implementation would focus on educating the public about the policy. As part of its public awareness efforts, the MPRB will post tobacco-free signs on park properties across the system. After the first year, violators of the policy may be asked to leave park property.

Tobacco-free signs will be installed on park properties in May.

The Master Plan is a written and graphic document that sets a 25-year vision for Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet and the surrounding parkland.