Check out the major investments that NPP2020 has made possible in the neighborhood parks most in need around the city. and the people who love them, NPP20 is a win-win.
Posted on 23 July, 2020The 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20) is a long-term initiative to transform Minneapolis’ neighborhood park system. Adopted by Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) commissioners in 2016, NPP20:
- Protects current levels of MPRB funding
- Dedicates an additional $11 million annually, through 2036, in NPP20 funds for capital investments, rehabilitation projects and enhanced maintenance in neighborhood parks,
- Allocates NPP20 funds using a data-driven, criteria-based system to help address racial and economic equity
Update focus: NPP20- funded capital investments
- These projects replace outdated major features in neighborhood parks.
- Funding is targeted first in the parks and neighborhoods where it’s needed the most, using quantifiable criteria based on racial and economic equity.
8 capital investment projects completed since 2017 included NPP20 funding
- Bossen Field Park – play equipment, relocated play area; basketball court; additional parking and paths; new and renovated athletic fields
- Central Gym Park – new athletic field, basketball court, playground, paths and expanded gathering space
- Currie Park (complete this summer) – basketball court, improved play area, splash pad, restroom building
- Folwell Park (complete this summer) – play area, renovated tennis courts, lighting for west athletic field, paths and path lighting
- Luxton Park – play area
- Northeast Recreation Center – new building opened in 2018
- Peavey Park – three-court basketball complex, play areas, multi-purpose field and central promenade; site grading, park lighting
- Phillips Aquatics Center / Phillips Community Center – renovation of existing indoor pool and additional new indoor pool, building upgrades, parking lot
- Powderhorn Park – renovation of wading pool and new amenities; equipment, surfacing and renovations for three play areas
10 current projects with NPP20 funding; construction in 2020 and 2021
- Bassett’s Creek Park (pictured) – new play area on park’s east side, picnic facilities, landscaping improvements
- Cleveland and Farview parks – new play areas and flexible-use spaces
- Lovell Square Park – new play areas, plus space for community gardens
- Perkins Hill Park – pump track for skates, bicycles, scooters and gliders and a natural-surface mountain-bike skills trail (construction begins this fall)
- Phelps Park – new play area with landscaping; new path lighting and accessibility improvements to paths and parking areas; athletic field renovation and new splash pad in 2021
- Stewart Park– improvements based on the park’s long-term master plan, pending community engagement and concept plan approval
- Sumner Field Park – new basketball court
- Van Cleve Park – new play area
- Victory Park – new splash pad with seating, landscaping, other improvements
Follow-up: Rehabilitation projects, maintenance funded by NPP20
Rehabilitation projects repair, restore or replace a wide range of neighborhood park facilities and amenities that fall outside the scope of capital investment projects. Examples include roof replacements, sidewalk repairs, lighting upgrades, HVAC replacements, accessibility improvements that meet current ADA guidelines and more.
NPP20 funding also enhances maintenance practices that benefit all neighborhood parks across the city. Watch for an update coming soon!
NPP20 Annual Report
Available online at minneapolisparks.org/NPP20, the reports provide an overview of the initiative and key financial details on NPP20-funded projects; the latest report, for 2019, covers projects in 2018, 2019 and planned for 2020.