At the May 18 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board meeting, Board President Liz Wielinski and Superintendent Jayne Miller issued the following statements.
President Liz Wielinski
I’d like to make a brief statement.
I’d like to apologize for losing my temper last Wednesday at the Committee of the Whole meeting.
It reflected poorly on both the Park Board and my role as President representing the organization.
While the Park Board has done work to both better understand racial equity and move toward achieving racial equity over the past five years, it is apparent that there are people who continue to feel that we have not heard their voices. I want people to know that we genuinely want to listen and hear from community members. I also want the community to be aware of the racial equity work the park board has been doing and that we look for suggestions for improving upon that work. Therefore I am hoping my fellow commissioners will join me in supporting the Superintendent’s efforts to expand the organization’s racial equity work; work that the superintendent will share with us tonight.
Superintendent Statement
Parks in every community, and especially in Minneapolis, are the heart and soul of the community. Parks by their very creation in this country are places for all. They are the great equalizer – they represent democracy in our country. They are for all to enjoy. Rich, poor. Black, brown, white. Able bodied, disabled. Gay, transgender, straight.
Parks are gathering places for family and friends. They are places for contemplation, active living, artistry. They restore one’s soul; help create healthy ecosystems; and are key to the health of individuals and communities. Parks improve the quality of people’s lives. Parks are the best of every community.
Because of the important role that parks play in every community, I believe we have a responsibility to be inclusive and we have to address issues of racial equity. While we believe we have made progress in the last five years, we acknowledge there is still much work to do. We want to listen and hear from the community. We also want the community to know about the racial equity work we have been doing at the Park Board. And we want the community to help us improve and expand upon our inclusion and racial equity work.
We have sent letters of invitation to a variety of community leaders and groups asking them to participate in a series of meetings and community dialog. During these we will share background information and initiatives, discuss feedback and suggestions for continued improvements. We anticipate these meetings will begin in early July.
We want the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to be the best park system it can be for everyone. We can only do with the community’s help through your input and feedback.
I ask for the Board’s affirmation and support for these series of meetings and community dialog.