Transforming North Commons Park
Largest Investment in a Minneapolis City Park Ever, a Community Vision Is Being Realized
Minneapolis, Minn. – An iconic neighborhood park and a natural gathering place for North Minneapolis families, North Commons Park is getting ready to serve the next generation with exceptional youth programming, inviting green gathering spaces, and innovative places to play and connect on common ground.
This month, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation is proud to announce the official launch of Transforming North Commons Park, a $20 million capital campaign in partnership with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). Thanks to strong early support from a generous philanthropic community, the Parks Foundation has already secured $11.9 million toward our goal of helping make the North Minneapolis community’s vision for the park’s future a reality, including a $10 million gift – the largest single gift in the organization’s history.
Updated concept design renderings of the 58,000-square-foot building and water park are being released this week. This transformative capital project–approximately 2/3 new build and 1/3 renovation—includes a 3-court field house; a community room with kitchen; dedicated senior, teen, fitness, wellness and art rooms; expanded lobby and lounge area; and a fully rebuilt water park with two water slides.
A Public/Private Partnership for the Parks
The $35 million North Commons Park renovation, recently approved by the MPRB Board of Commissioners, will be funded by a combination of federal, state and local dollars, in addition to philanthropic dollars raised by the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. As the primary philanthropic partner to MPRB, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation has been a driving force behind advancing parks design, promoting stewardship of Minneapolis parks within the civic and business community, and ensuring that our city parks equitably serve our diverse community. Over the past 20 years, the Parks Foundation has delivered more than $42.2 million in private funding for the parks, primarily in underserved neighborhoods.
Voices of Support
“Every person in our city needs access to safe and incredible recreation spaces, including North Minneapolis…What we are talking about is a regional destination that people on the northside and throughout our city can be proud of.”
–Mayor Jacob Frey
“It was always important for me to be able to go to North Commons Park where there were great recreation activities with trusting adults.”
–Senator Bobby Joe Champion (DFL – Minneapolis)
“Funding for a transformational project like the North Commons Park effort takes significant leadership from both private philanthropists as well as public officials. We are working with our elected officials as well as the Minneapolis Parks Foundation to raise the capital and programming dollars needed for this amazing public resource.”
–Al Bangoura, superintendent, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
“The North Commons Park expansion and renovation will be one of the most significant investments ever made in a neighborhood park in Minneapolis history. From upgrading the decades-old water park, adding a new field house and increasing community programming to renovating and expanding other park amenities and natural systems, North Commons Park will serve as a source of pride not only to its surrounding neighborhoods, but to the whole city and region.”
–Jocey Hale, interim executive director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation
“Community support for this project is strong, and we’re thrilled to have secured leadership gifts, including a $10 million gift, from a number of respected funders that are helping us highlight the importance of this transformative community project.”
–Jennifer Downham, chief development officer of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation
About the Minneapolis Parks Foundation
Since 2003, the Minneapolis Parks Foundation has raised more than $42 million for transformative parks and programming in Minneapolis by aligning philanthropic investment and community vision. Today, the Parks Foundation champions equitable investment in Minneapolis parks through the Transforming North Commons Park partnership. The Parks Foundation also supports community-based parks projects with the People for Parks Fund, and explores the intersection of parks and today’s most pressing issues by presenting the Next Generation of Parks™ Event Series. Learn more or make a gift at MplsParksFoundation.org.
About the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
Established in 1883, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) oversees a renowned urban park system spanning 7,059 acres of parkland and water. Featured among its 185 park properties are 55 miles parkways, 102 miles of Grand Rounds biking and walking paths, 22 lakes, 12 formal gardens, seven golf courses and 49 recreation centers. Altogether, MPRB properties receive more than 30 million visits annually. Since 2013, MPRB has been recognized among the top five urban park systems in the United States by the Trust for Public Land.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Minneapolis Parks Foundation
Jennifer Downham
jdownham@mplsparksfoundation.org
612-607-2135 (mobile)
612-822-3401 (office)
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
Dawn Sommers
dsommers@minneapolisparks.org
612-599-2250 (mobile)
612-230-6407 (office)