Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Three Rivers Park District (TRPD) have partnered to operate and program the Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park since the facility opened in 2002.
Since 2002, TRPD has provided programming at the Kroening Interpretive Center while the MPRB has provided operations and maintenance for the facility and North Mississippi Regional Park. Effective June 13, 2016, MRPB took over responsibility for complete operation of the Kroening Interpretive Center and will have naturalists on site to provide customer/visitor service.
Here’s some information on the changes at Kroening Interpretive Center and what they will mean for park visitors.
Why is this change being made?
In 2015, Three Rivers’ Board of Commissioners made a commitment to develop and support new efforts to provide programming to under-represented communities in suburban Hennepin County that don’t currently have convenient access to regional parks and programming. This means that instead of asking residents to travel to North Mississippi Regional Park and the Kroening Interpretive Center, TRPD staff are now partnering with communities in the first tier suburbs of Hennepin County to provide TRPD-led programming at community parks and facilities.
When will the building be open?
Effective June 13, 2016, the new hours are:
Tuesdays–Saturdays
10 am–4 pm
Sundays
noon–4 pm
Closed on Mondays
What is changing?
As of June 13, MRPB is now responsible for complete operation of the Kroening Interpretive Center and will have naturalists on site to provide customer/visitor service.
Three Rivers Park District will continue to provide programming support this summer, such as Free Family Fun Days on Saturdays and support of summer school programs, and school field trips into the fall.
In late summer, MPRB staff will shift to being the primary provider of programs at Kroening.
Who owns North Mississippi Regional Park and Kroening Interpretive Center?
Both organizations own portions of the park. TRPD owns the land in the northern part of the park in Brooklyn Center, from 53rd Avenue North to the I-694 bridge. The MPRB owns the land in Minneapolis, from 53rd Avenue North south to the Camden Boat launch, which includes Kroening Interpretive Center.
What will I notice at Kroening Interpretive Center?
After June 13, the MPRB staff will provide customer/visitor services, lead environmental programs, and resume all facility operation responsibilities. The telephone number will also change to 612-370-4844.
To receive news and updates about the Kroening Interpretive Center, visit www.minneapolisparks.org/subscribe and select Kroening Interpretive Center.
About Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an independent, semi-autonomous body responsible for the Minneapolis park system. With 251 park properties totaling 6,790 acres of land and water, the Park Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community and the environment. More than 21 million annual visits are made to the nationally acclaimed park system. Its Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, neighborhood parks, recreation centers and diversified programming have made the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play and work. The Minneapolis Park Board is proud to have been named the number one park system in America by the Trust for Public Land for four years in a row.
About Three Rivers Park District
Three Rivers Park District is a natural resources-based park system that manages park reserves, regional parks, regional trails and special-use facilities in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Park District offers facilities for every season, including picnicking, swimming, creative play, boating, fishing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, golf, camping and sledding; extensive trails for hiking, biking, in-line skating, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as program sites for nature, recreation, historic and farm education.
Three Rivers Park District’s mission is to promote environmental stewardship through recreation and education in a natural resources-based park system. The Park District owns and operates more than 27,000 acres and serves nearly 11 million visitors a year.
Contact
Robin Smothers
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Phone: 612-230-6410
Email: rsmothers@minneapolisparks.org
Jason McGrew-King
Three Rivers Park District
Phone: 763-559-6779
Email: jason.mcgrew-king@threeriversparks.org