As the leaves fall and the weather turns cooler, I’m feeling especially grateful for this community and all the ways people show up for Minneapolis parks. November is a season of giving thanks and giving back, and that spirit is at the heart of what makes our park system thrive.
This month, we’re celebrating Give to the Max Day on November 20, one of Minnesota’s most joyful days of generosity. Every donation – large or small – helps us create moments of connection, creativity, and joy in our parks. It’s also the perfect time to kick off the holiday giving season by supporting the spaces that bring our city together year-round.
One wonderful example of the impact of gifts to the Minneapolis Parks Foundation is the new mural, “Re-Indigenized” by Heather Friedli at The Commons, a vibrant piece of public art made possible by donor support. The piece imagines a pre-colonialized view of Owamniyomni (St. Anthony Falls) and is a testament to how donations – in this case to our People for Parks Fund – can help turn shared spaces into sources of inspiration and joy.
Finally, I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected and returning Park Board Commissioners. Their leadership is essential to stewarding one of the best park systems in the world, and we’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with them in the year ahead.
Thank you for all the ways you give – to the parks, to your neighbors, and to this community!
Image Credit: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board