Late in 2021 the Minneapolis Parks Foundation received a very generous contribution directed to the newly established People for Parks Fund. It was a wonderful surprise and cemented our belief that activating parks is as important as maintaining and building parks to our community.

This generous (and first-time!) contribution to the Parks Foundation came from a couple, Randal and Sharon, who have been life-long park appreciators and stated: “We sincerely love the Minneapolis and Mississippi River parks and trails and are regulars in walking Lake of the Isles, East and West Mississippi riverbank trails and Wirth Park.”

With their support, and that of many others, the Parks Foundation has been able to increase the number of People for Parks Fund grants given out to grassroot community groups initiating diverse programming in and stewardship of Minneapolis parks. This year, the People for Parks Fund distributed more than $48,000 in grants to support nine projects led by seven organizations, including the Armatage Neighborhood Association, Cultural Wellness Center, Friends of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Friends of Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis Sailing Center, and Urban Bird Collective. Programs and projects will take place in nearly every corner of the city and serve a range of parks users, including children, adults, trail users, birdwatchers, swimmers, and more.

The People for Parks Fund and the volunteer committee that decides where the funding goes might be a newer program of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, but we are committed to growing the opportunity and impact. Thank you to all who make this possible!

Featured Image: Lake of the Isles