With its mix of history, culture, community connection, and recreation, Water Works Park & Pavilion is one of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s proudest accomplishments. The parks volunteer and visionary who pushed for it the hardest was Paul Reyelts, who passed away in May. 

A transformative philanthropist and early founder of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, Reyelts is remembered with great fondness by the foundation’s staff and board, who worked closely with him on planning, creating, and advocating for a central Mississippi riverfront that is accessible to all. 

“So much of what Minneapolis parks users now love and appreciate about the way we connect and recreate around the river was profoundly influenced by Paul’s leadership, voice, and vision,” says Jennifer Downham, MPF’s Chief Development Officer. “His incredible eye for detail, his probing questions, and his unwavering commitment to inclusivity always made our work more meaningful and impactful.’’ 

One of the co-founders of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, as well as a founder of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi (formerly Friends of the Falls), Reyelts’ leadership of the successful RiverFirst Initiative raised more than $18 million for Water Works Park and the Great Northern Greenway Overlook, the largest private investment ever made in the Minneapolis parks. He was also instrumental in advocating for the 20-year equitable neighborhood funding plan that passed in 2016, addressing racial and economic equity across some 160 neighborhood parks while providing more than $11 million annually to maintain, repair, and replace facilities. 

“Paul always strived to learn from others and took their perspective into consideration while also pushing for better, more ambitious ideas,” says Tom Evers, the Parks Foundation’s former Executive Director. “He was a rare visionary and a kind soul who brought people together around a vision for our city’s parks that is hard to match in any era.  And he did this while earning respect, gratitude, and admiration from everyone who worked with him.” 

“It was a privilege to work with Paul and observe his tireless leadership,”says Bob Bruininks, former President of the University of Minnesota and Parks Foundation board member.”His broad advocacy helped to transform our relationship with the river.”  

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation extends our heartfelt sympathies to those who knew and loved Paul. The city has lost an amazing leader and advocate; Minneapolis is a better city because of his work.