Minneapolis Parks Foundation supporters, through gifts to our general operating fund, make it possible for us to invest in parks and programming throughout Minneapolis that transforms lives. Through equity-focused grants and donor-directed gifts, we seek to support parks projects and partners that amplify equity and cultural inclusion, promote community health and wellbeing, make connections to the natural world, and build climate resilience and economic vitality.
Swim Programming (2019)
The Lupient Family continues its tradition of support for swim programming throughout of the Minneapolis Park System, including lifeguard recruitment and training, swim lessons and scholarships, culturally appropriate swimwear, and group pool entrance scholarships for youth-focused community partners.
Cedar South Beach Improvements (2018)
Made possible by a generous leadership gift from a Parks Foundation supporter, the Minneapolis Park Board expanded improvements at Cedar Lake’s South Beach to include a three-season restroom and wash station, which opened in summer 2018.
Northeast Recreation Center (2017)
Northeast Park’s new recreation center opened in March 2019, thanks in part to a $100,000 gift that the Lupient Family, longtime supporters of the Minneapolis parks system, made through the Parks Foundation.
Minneapolis Art Lending Library (2017)
The Minneapolis Parks Foundation was proud to support other community groups that connect us, like the Minneapolis Art Lending Library (MALL), which earned a Parks Foundation grant in December 2017. MALL supports local artists by allowing residents to borrow paintings and other artwork, recirculating the works every quarter.
The Trailhead, Loppet Foundation (2016)
Giving access to lifetime activities like walking, running, skiing, biking and paddling is one of the ways that parks have the power to transform human life. That’s why the Minneapolis Parks Foundation contributed $5,000 to the Loppet Foundation’s campaign for The Trailhead, which opened in 2018.
Bethune Park (2015)
Kids in Near North Minneapolis wanted play bubblers included among wading pool features improvements at Bethune Park, but the extra pool features weren’t in the budget. Support for the Parks Foundation’s general fund made it possible to provide for fun new water features now making a big splash on the Northside.
Phillips Aquatic Center (2015)
In 2015, the Parks Foundation made a grant to support the Minneapolis Swims effort to turn the Phillips Aquatics Center into a state-of-the-art competitive swimming and diving facility with a robust learn-to-swim program. Located in the heart of Phillips, the Aquatic Center serves our city’s most racially and ethnically diverse neighborhood.
Northside “Treecovery” (2012)
Following a devastating tornado that tore through North Minneapolis destroying more than 2,600 boulevard trees, the donors to the Parks Foundation contributed more than $25,000 towards the replanting effort.
N. 4th Ave Playground (2011)
In 2011, Minneapolis Parks Foundation helped raise funds for the North 4th Avenue Playground – a vibrant play destination and gathering place for families in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood. This unique playground was custom designed around themes – nature, history, sustainability, and river stewardship – that reflect its Mississippi River location.