North Commons Park Improvements A transformative, once-in-a-generation project to create a Northside hub for arts, recreation, athletics and community activities, with new waterpark, three-gym fieldhouse and renovated community center.

Project Location

North Commons Park
1801 N James Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55411

Project Managers

Daniel Elias
Phone: 612-230-6435
Email: delias@minneapolisparks.org

Adam Arvidson
Phone: 612-230-6470
Email: aarvidson@minneapolisparks.org

 

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Language Resources

Correo Electrónico: preguntas@minneapolisparks.org
Email: suaalo@minneapolisparks.org

Status

Current Phase: Construction
Time Frame: Project will be completed in phases in 2026 and 2027

Key Documents

See also “Project Documents” tab below

Community Engagement

Transforming North Commons Park: Combating Health Wealth Disparities (April 2024) [PDF]

February 2025: Aerial View | North Entry | James Ave. View | East View | South Entry

February 2024: Aerial View | Aerial View – Winter | North Plaza | South Plaza | Entry Lobby looking South | Fieldhouse looking North | Fieldhouse from Track | Multipurpose Room | Craft Room | Existing Gymnasium | Lounge | Entry Lobby looking West | Wellness Room | Water Park Activity Area | Water Park Aerial View | Water Park Lap Pool View

September 22 through October 28, 2025

What's New

April Construction Update

Construction is 40 percent complete! The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is making a historic investment to expand and transform facilities at North Commons Park. When completed, the park’s northeast corner […]

March Construction Update

Construction is 35 percent complete! The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is making a historic investment to expand and transform facilities at North Commons Park. When completed, the park’s northeast corner […]

February Construction Update

Construction is 25 percent complete! The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is expanding and transforming park facilities at North Commons Park. When completed, the park’s northeast corner will include a new […]

See All Project Updates

Timeline

  • June 2025 – June 2027: Construction
  • 2025 January – May: Bidding and Construction Contract Award
  • 2023 (November) – 2024 (December): Detailed Design
  • 2023
    • October : Concept Design Approved by Board of Commissioners
    • April: Community and Board Update on concept design status
  • 2022: MPRB submits a second request for state bonding
  • 2021 (September) – 2023 (March): Programmatic design, concept design and feasibility analysis, with cost estimates, including continued community engagement
  • 2021 July-September: Initial general community engagement
  • 2021 June-August: Completion of Community Engagement Plan, issuance of consultant RFP, selection of consultant
  • 2020: State of Minnesota awards MPRB $5 million in state bonding (of a $11 million request) for the North Commons Project, to go along with $1.8 million of NPP20 funding allocated by MPRB
  • 2019: North Service Area Master Plan–including plan for North Commons Park–adopted by Board of Commissioners
  • 2017: MPRB begins a community-engaged process to create new park plans for every park in North Minneapolis

Project Documents

June 2025: Construction Contracts – Initial Awards

November 2024: Contracting Goals and Methods: Board Meeting

August 2024: Amendment for 2026 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) reallocating $10.3 million in 2026 CIP funds to the North Commons Park improvements project 

September 2023: Concept Design Public Hearing on Draft Preferred Concept Designs

September 2023: Draft Preferred Concept Designs

April 2023: Study Report

Concept Options

Playground Concept Design

Project Background Info

Community Engagement

Initial Open Houses

2022 Community Collaborators

Funding

Funding status (updated December 2025) 

$12.2 million   MPRB funds

$20.5 million   Minneapolis Parks Foundation fundraising commitment from its current Transforming North Commons Park campaign

$10.9 million   State and Federal funds and other grant funds

$43.6 million  Total

MPRB is confident about the options for securing the remaining funds for the $49 million project

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