May was an exciting month for our campaign to transform North Commons Park. The biggest news was the project receiving $6 million in the most recent bonding bill! Thank you to the North Minneapolis legislative delegation – Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, Rep. Fue Lee, and Rep. Esther Agbaje – for their tireless work to ensure North Commons Park was included in the final list of funded projects.
Another big thank you to all the Minneapolis Parks Foundation supporters who contacted their legislators to make sure they knew how important the renovations to North Commons Park are to the North Minneapolis community and the broader region. Together, we contacted 43 different legislators – spanning the entire metro region and reaching both Democrats and Republicans.
I’m not surprised that so many people from across the Twin Cities advocated for this once-in-a-generation renovation of an iconic Minneapolis park. People from all types of backgrounds understand the importance of having strong, vibrant parks. Parks aren’t just nice-to-have’s, they are must-have’s. They are spaces that connect us with one another and help create community health and wellbeing, which is exactly what will happen once the transformation at North Commons is completed.
In addition to Minneapolis Park Foundation supporters speaking up for North Commons, they also donated. Thanks to many generous donors who have given this year so far, I’m happy to share that we have only $2.9 million left to go in our fundraising campaign. Check out this month’s North Commons update to see the great progress happening onsite and help bring the transformation across the finish line by visiting the Transforming North Commons Park webpage.
Thanks and see you out in the parks!
Image Credit: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board