As a Design Project Manager at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Dan Elias plays a key role in shaping some of the city’s most beloved public spaces. He’s currently part of the team working on the transformation of North Commons Park, a project that blends design, community vision, and long-term investment in North Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation has had the pleasure of working closely with Dan throughout this ambitious effort, and we were delighted to sit down with him for a deeper conversation about his path, his perspective, and what it takes to bring a public park project to life.
How long have you been at Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and what drew you to the field of design and project management?
I’ve been with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board since June 2016, after spending about 10 years at Three Rivers Park District. I studied architecture at the University of Minnesota and initially pursued more traditional design roles. But when I took a position at Three Rivers during a tough economy, I discovered a different path—working as an owner’s representative on capital construction projects. I found that I could actually influence a project more from that side, especially when it came to working with the public. That was a turning point for me.
Is there a project you’re most proud of?
One of the first projects I worked on at MPRB was Peavey Park, in the Phillips neighborhood. It was a multi-phase improvement project, and it was my first real opportunity to work closely with the community on both the design and implementation. We held design camps with youth and collaborated with neighbors on what should be prioritized. That project really set the tone for how I’ve approached community engagement ever since.
You’ve played an integral role in the redesign of North Commons Park. What excites you most about this project?
Honestly, it’s the moment after everything is done. When community members walk into the new facility for the first time and say, “Wow, this is for us,” that’s the part that gives me the most energy. I’m also really excited about delivering the Park Board’s first-ever field house and a new water park. But it’s that ribbon-cutting moment, when a project becomes real to people, that stays with me.
In the future, I hope it feels like a space that couldn’t exist anywhere else. I hope it reflects North Minneapolis’ identity, its people, and its pride. I want it to feel like something that was co-created with the community, not just built for them. With public art and input from so many local voices, I hope people see it as a landmark and a legacy they helped shape.
You’ve worked at the intersection of arts, design, and community. How does creative expression play a role in revitalizing public spaces?
For me, creativity isn’t always about traditional design or artistic expression. I see my role more as a problem solver, which stretches creativity in different ways, like finding the best path to deliver a project, navigating challenges during permitting, or coming up with solutions to keep a project moving through its many phases. One challenge we experienced at North Commons Park put the residential look and feel of the neighborhood in contrast with the desire to build a large new field house. We were able to design the field house with the gym elevation as a lower level. This decision allowed the height of the field house to stay below 30 feet, which is the typical height of a two-story home. It also helped us preserve more of the park’s existing tree canopy, maintaining the natural character of the site while delivering a modern, functional facility for the community.
Sometimes, I get to participate more directly in the design process, like during community design charrettes, where we explore how a space might look and feel. But most of my creative work happens behind the scenes. Working to identify funding opportunities, applying for grants, collaborating with partners, and finding innovative ways to overcome complex obstacles. That kind of creative problem-solving and creative system management is where I feel I contribute the most when being a part of these projects.
Looking ahead, what do you hope to see, or be working on, in the Minneapolis park system?
Right now, North Commons takes up about 90% of my brain space,and probably will for the next couple of years. After that, I’m honestly looking forward to returning to smaller, neighborhood-scale projects, like playgrounds, trails, court upgrades. But no matter the size, the goal is always the same: create spaces that meet people where they are and help communities thrive.
Do you have a favorite park in Minneapolis?
I have always loved Minnehaha Falls.The big, mature oak trees, the sound of the waterfall, music playing nearby—it just has a great vibe. I also have a soft spot for the Winchell Trail along West River Parkway. It’s a little hidden trail that hugs the river and offers a quieter, more natural escape within the city. It’s a great place to walk and take in the scenery.
What are your personal must-haves at a park? And what does your family love most in parks?
I am a big park user, but it’s hard to turn off the work part of my brain that is always looking at the trail condition, signage, whether or not everything is up to code. Personally, I gravitate toward quieter, more remote park experiences.. I like stepping away from the busier parts of the urban system. My family? One of my kids is a total playground monster, and the other would rather sit in the shade and read. So we hit a range of park types. But if I had to name a common “must-have,” it’s access to restrooms—something every parent knows is more important than it sounds!
Is there a word of advice you’d give to up-and-coming architecture or landscape architecture students?
If your passion is leading design and shaping how a building or space looks and feels, working as a project manager in the public sector might not be the best fit. But if you’re someone who wants to shepherd community-focused projects,like navigating contracts, permits, budgets, consultants,and help make real, tangible improvements, it can be incredibly fulfilling. It’s a critical, behind-the-scenes role in making public projects happen.
Dan’s thoughtful approach to design, collaboration, and problem-solving reflects the deep care and complexity involved in creating public spaces that truly serve their communities. As the transformation of North Commons Park continues, we’re grateful for Dan’s leadership and the broader team’s commitment to making this a landmark for North Minneapolis.To learn more about the project—or to support its continued progress—visit: mplsparksfoundation.org/Initiative/north-commons