Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board : Update: 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20)

Minneapolis MN

29 July, 2021

5:34 PM

Description

Press release from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board: 2021-07-28 Protecting current levels of MPRB funding Dedicating an additional $11 million-plus annually, through 2036, in NPP20 funds for neighborhood parks: capital investments and rehabilitation at prioritized locations, plus increased maintenance at all locations Helping to address racial and economic equity through a data-driven, criteria-based system, which allocates NPP20 funds first where they're most needed NPP20 Highlight: Currie Park The newest place to beat the heat in Minneapolis opened last month at Currie Park. With separate areas for younger and older children, the splash pad accommodates twice as many people as the wading pool it replaced. That's a welcome feature, since Cedar-Riverside is one of the city's densest neighborhoods, with a high youth population The splash pad was the final element of a now-complete project that included a new restroom building; a full-sized basketball court that replaced two defunct half-courts; path improvements; and new lighting. The $3.3 million invested at Currie Park is the largest NPP20 funding allocation for a park since this long-term initiative was enacted in 2017.   NPP20-funded capital investment projects 5 new playgrounds: Bassett's Creek (pictured), Cleveland, Farview, Lovell Square and Phelps parks all saw new play areas open last fall and this spring. Additional improvements at some locations included picnic facilities, landscaping and path improvements and flexible-use areas. 6 projects under construction this summer and fall McRae Park and Kenny Park – new playgrounds 7 new projects – construction planned for 2022 Corcoran, Farwell (detail from master plan is pictured) and Hall parks – MPRB staff and community members are engaging to prioritize improvements from approved master plans for each park Jordan Park – wading pool, restroom/mechanical building 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 || Folwell Park – 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 Field Park – three-court basketball complex, play areas, multi-purpose field, 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 – wading pool renovation and new amenities; equipment, surfacing and renovations for three play areas NPP20-funded rehabilitation Projects are prioritized based on the need for repair, restoration or replacement, along with equity rankings and other factors; when possible, projects are combined for efficiency and cost savings. NPP20 Highlight: Farview Park and Recreation Center While Farview had a wading pool and athletic field constructed before NPP20 funding launched in 2017, it's also had a series of NPP20-funded rehabilitation projects since then: Siding and roof replacement HVAC/electrical replacements and overhaul Restroom renovation Accessibility improvements for parking lot, paths, recreation center entry Taken together – along with the new playground mentioned above – these projects indicate the level of work needed at some parks. Now Farview is in good shape to continue serving the community for another 20 years. Put simply, that's why NPP20 exists! As the initiative continues across the neighborhood park system, more parks and recreation centers will see a similar renewal. Additional rehabilitation projects (2019 – 2021) Restroom renovations for current ADA requirements and equitable access at Bryant Square, Matthews, Lyndale Farmstead (part of a larger capital project with other funding) and Audubon (with furnaces and air conditioning) recreation centers Roof replacements (2020 and 2019) at Farview, Logan and Luxton recreation centers; Cavell Park (restroom building), Loring Park (maintenance building) Concrete sidewalk rehabilitation for smoother, safer sidewalks at 66 neighborhood parks since 2017, including 23 parks in 2020 Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) projects – higher efficiency furnaces at Beltrami, Kenwood, McRae and North Commons recreation centers in 2020 Park lighting repairs and replacements at Elliot, Farview, Matthews parks North Commons Water Park – new equipment (to be transferred to a future reconstructed water park), concrete repairs NPP20 Annual Reports Available at minneapolisparks.org/NPP20, the reports provide an overview of the initiative and key financial details on NPP20-funded projects; the latest report, for 2020, covers projects in 2019, 2020 and 2021. More on MPRB park care and improvements Visit the current projects page to explore and get details on the full range of work in progress to maintain, restore and upgrade the U.S.'s #1 park system. This press release was produced by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. The views expressed here are the author's own.