All youth programs and sports are free beginning this summer at 17 Minneapolis parks and facilities

Posted on 1 March, 2022

Registration fees have been eliminated for all youth programs, activities and sports leagues based at Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) parks, recreation centers and facilities located within census-designated Areas of Concentrated Poverty (ACP).

This new policy applies to any Minneapolis resident ages 17 and under signing up for any activity at one of 17 MRPB sites located within an ACP. It begins with the start of summer youth program registration, which opens at 12 pm on March 2, 2022, and will continue through at least the end of 2022. Sites with free youth programs include:

  • Bottineau Park
  • Central Gym
  • East Phillips Park
  • Elliot Park
  • Farview Park
  • Folwell Park
  • Harrison Park
  • Kroening Nature Center
  • Luxton Park
  • North Commons Park
  • Painter Park
  • Peavey Park
  • Phillips Park
  • Powderhorn Park
  • Stewart Park
  • Van Cleve Park
  • Whittier Park

In addition, three Rec Plus School-Age Childcare sites are now donation-based: Harrison Park, Matthews Park, and Webber Park.

“We want young people in our recreations centers,” said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura. “We want them involved in our programs, sports, and activities. We want to connect with them and provide them with a place to feel comfortable, safe, and valued. To achieve that, we are removing barriers that might keep youth from getting involved.”

How it Works

Visit minneapolisparks.org/register to browse all MPRB programs online via the ActiveNet platform. People can also drop by or call their local recreation center to ask about upcoming programs and sign up.

Youth program registration will be free for anyone with a Minneapolis address on their ActiveNet account at the 17 sites listed above. People also have the option to pay for a portion or all of the regular fees if they prefer during checkout.

Historic Investment in Youth

The 2022 MPRB budget passed last December included a historic $2.6 million increase in youth investments through a combination of gradual increases in property taxes and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocations. Led by MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura with support from Mayor Jacob Frey, former Council President Lisa Bender, and Board of Estimate and Taxation members, this investment in youth was provided through a $1.3 million increase in the MPRB property tax levy and a commitment from Mayor Frey to allocate $1.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the MPRB in 2022.

Frey also provided for an ongoing commitment of gradual annual increases ($260,000) to the MPRB property tax levy from 2023 through 2027 to meet the full $2.6 million in youth investment requested by MPRB Commissioners, as well as an ongoing commitment of ARPA funding for 2023 and 2024 ($1,092,000 and $875,400, respectively).