Public hearing on Southwest Parks Plan scheduled October 7

Posted on 23 September, 2020

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will hold a public hearing on the Southwest Service Area Master Plan on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020 at 6:45 pm during the regular Board of Commissioners meeting.

The Southwest Service Area Master Plan, called the Southwest Parks Plan for short, includes long-term plans for 42 neighborhood parks, one regional feature, six potential parks, and four park search areas in Southwest Minneapolis. It sets a vision for the improvement, operation and management of all neighborhood parks in Southwest Minneapolis over the next 20-30 years. The plan was created after nearly two years of community-based engagement, planning and design with individuals, neighborhood groups and community organizations throughout Southwest Minneapolis.

The MPRB is adhering to social distancing recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic and all Board meetings are being held virtually. The public is encouraged to view the meeting from home and email comments on the plan to the Secretary to the Board at jringold@minneapolisparks.org before 3:30 pm on Oct. 7. Comments should be limited to approximately 300 words, which is similar to three minutes when they are read out loud by the Secretary at the Board meeting.

Although all commissioners will not be physically present, the Board Room at Mary Merrill MPRB Headquarters (2117 West River Road) is open to the public during Board meetings. Social distancing is encouraged.

To make an in-person comment, please call 612-230-6400 before 6 pm on Oct. 7 to sign up to speak at the meeting and be present in the Board Room at the Mary Merrill MPRB Headquarters, 2117 West River Road by 6:45 pm.

The proposed Southwest Parks Plan will be published to the project page (minneapolisparks.org/sw) on Friday, Oct. 2, when the Board agenda is posted. After the hearing, the Planning Committee will consider approval of the Southwest Parks Plan. The full board could consider its final approval at either the Oct. 21 or Nov. 4 meeting.