Transforming North Commons Park is a $23.5 million capital campaign to reimagine one of Minneapolis’s oldest and most iconic neighborhood parks. Home of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board’s first ever recreation center, North Commons continues to be a natural gathering place for families, with nearly 10,000 youth living within a one-mile radius. This once-in-a-generation investment will renovate the park’s aging fieldhouse with new programming spaces for youth, teens and seniors, a fitness space, a maker space, and a new concession space to serve the building and the waterpark, which will be wholly renovated. Programming North Commons with accessible and engaging youth offerings is also a vital part of the project.

North Commons Park Breaks Ground! 

Construction is officially underway! On Tuesday, July 29, community members, civic leaders, and supporters gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the largest-ever investment in a Minneapolis neighborhood park. This milestone marks the beginning of a multi-year transformation shaped by community vision and powered by public and private support. Construction is planned to continue through 2027, with many park amenities and programs staying open and available throughout this time. Information about the project and park updates can be found on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board website.

Keep up with Monthly Construction Updates Here:

July Updates
August Updates
September Updates
October Updates
November Updates
December Updates

North Commons in the News:

https://www.startribune.com/minneapolis-breaks-ground-on-45-million-north-commons-park-overhaul/601445040?utm_source=gift

https://hoodline.com/2025/07/minneapolis-north-commons-park-to-undergo-historic-multimillion-dollar-renovation/

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/state-local-leaders-commemorate-start-north-commons-park-renovation/89-789cca62-266d-40bd-b4a3-126cae33b05c

Ways You Can Get Involved:

1. Make a contribution to the campaign:

Every donation helps this effort. Thank you for your investment!
Support the North Commons Campaign here.

Show your pride with the Northside Challenge. For a limited time every gift from the Northside will be doubled, dollar for dollar, by a $30,000 matching grant. Thank you!  

Support the Northside Challenge here.

2. Stay up to date:

Check out the Park Board’s North Commons Park project page.

3. Share the news:

Word of mouth is the most effective way to elevate the project.
Questions about fundraising – please contact Jennifer Downham at jdownham@mplsparksfoundation.org
Questions about the project – please contact Shawn Lewis at slewis@mplsparksfoundation.org

4. Contact your elected representative and thank them for their continued support of North Commons Park through state bonding. Write a letter, send an email, make a phone call: