Northeast Park Master Plan Community Survey and Meeting Announced

Via a June 4 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board:

Participate in the Future of Northeast Park

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) seeks community participation to develop a master plan for Northeast Park.

A series of community meetings are planned, with the first meeting on June 27. A community survey is now available at Northeast Park Questionnaire or by calling 612-230-6400. Throughout the planning process, members of an appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will work with MPRB staff and consultants to engage the community to develop a preferred plan for the park. The master plan will recommend placement of recreation facilities within the park, and the preferred location for a new recreation facility. The final recommendations of the CAC will be forward to the MPRB Board of Commissioners for review and approval.

Mark your calendar and plan to participate at the following meetings (All meetings are open to the public and will include an opportunity for public participation and/or comment):

Thursday, June 27, 2013 (6:30 – 8:30 pm) CAC & Community Workshop
Where: Logan Recreation Center - 690 13th Ave. NE -Minneapolis, MN 55413
Meeting Focus: Participants will learn about the project and help determine needs for the future.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013 (6:30 – 8:30 pm) Community Workshop – Charrette
Where: Logan Recreation Center - 690 13th Ave. NE -Minneapolis, MN 55413
Meeting Focus: Participants will help shape design concepts for the park.

Saturday, August 3, 2013 (10:00am-12:30pm) CAC & Community Open House
Where: Logan Recreation Center - 690 13th Ave. NE -Minneapolis, MN 55413
Meeting Focus: Review and comment on initial park concepts. From 10-11:30 am the concepts from the charrette will be available for comment and review, then at 11:30 the CAC will meet to review the comments and identify common themes. The community is welcome to attend the full meeting.

Take a survey before July 15! The survey is at Northeast Park Questionnaire or by calling the MPRB’s customer service center at 612-230-6400 for a paper copy. Completed paper surveys can be mailed to, or dropped off at, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Attn: Jennifer Ringold, 2117 West River Road N, Minneapolis, MN 55411.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Northeast Community. We look forward to your participation in the master planning process for the park,” said Commissioner Liz Wielinski. “There will be many opportunities throughout the project to join the conversation and to share your ideas. Please take the online survey, or attend an upcoming meeting to have your ideas heard.”

The CAC, which is to represent the range of park users, was appointed by Park Board commissioners, other elected city officials, neighborhood associations, and advisory groups. Members are charged with becoming knowledgeable about the project and its scope, understanding and representing the park and recreation needs of the community and park visitors, acting as community liaisons for the project, participating in public CAC meetings, advising MPRB staff and consultants throughout the planning process and recommending to the Board of Commissioners a preferred plan, budget and, if warranted, phasing strategy. The design of the recreation facility will be determined in a future phase of community engagement and will be coordinated with the system-wide recreation facility plan.

As part of the master planning process, current and potential facilities will be evaluated in relation to the community’s park and recreation needs as well as facilities provided in surrounding parks within the northeast Minneapolis area. The outcomes of the master plan and future recreation facility planning will direct future capital investments in the park. The MPRB’s 5-year Capital Improvement Program currently includes $4,000,000 for building and site improvements and $1,150,000 in field and site improvements.

MPRB welcomes everyone to get involved and to share their ideas—look for announcements and upcoming meetings by visiting the project webpage. In addition to the June and July meetings, additional meetings in September and October are anticipated.

The anticipated planning process is as follows: the master park plan to be developed in 2013, a recreation facility plan to follow in 2014, with a construction and groundbreaking date slated for 2015. To receive project updates via email, visit the MPRB Website and click on the red envelope.

The Northeast Recreation Center has been closed since January 1, 2013, to allow for expansion plans at Yinghau Academy. All outdoor activities, leagues, and events are continuing as planned. The Jim Lupient Pool will remain open. For pool information, visit the website MPRB Website or call the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Customer Service line at 612-230-6400.

CONTACT: Questions from the public:
Jennifer Ringold, Manager Community Engagement & Citywide Planning
Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board
612-230-6464
jringold@minneapolisparks.org