Share your opinions to help shape the future of Minneapolis parks

Posted on 24 September, 2015

This week the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) wraps up months of community meetings held throughout the city to gather feedback on what may be the most comprehensive planning effort in its 130-year history.

Minneapolis’ neighborhood parks are at a critical juncture. Funding reductions have left a multi-million dollar gap in the resources needed to properly care for these highly-used, aging neighborhood assets.

“Closing the Gap: Investing in our Neighborhood Parks” is an MPRB initiative designed to learn more about Minneapolitans’ preferences on the best way to gather and dispense resources needed to program, operate, repair and improve these parks.

If you were unable to make any meetings this summer there are still two ways to get informed and weigh in on this major planning effort.

This short video offers a brief overview of Closing the Gap. After the video please take a 15-minute survey, open through September 30, to help determine the future of neighborhood parks in Minneapolis.

MPRB is also hosting a public forum titled “Closing the Gap: Insider Insights for Park Funding” on Tuesday, September 29, 6-8:30 pm at the Walker Art Center. At the forum representatives from Seattle, Indianapolis, Portland and New York City will share how their cities tackled similar funding challenges.

The forum is free and open to the public, but advance registration is preferred as space is limited. Attendees may register by noon, September 28 by emailing name and number attending to closingthegap@minneapolisparks.org or calling 612-313-7789.

It’s not too late to get involved and help influence the future of your favorite neighborhood park. Your input could have a real impact on the assets and services neighborhood parks provide over the next several decades.