Providing recreational, educational, and employment opportunities for Minneapolis youth is one of the most important jobs of a Park Board commissioner. Maintaining a focus on youth will remain my number one priority. Key accomplishments include:

• Implementation of free and reduced youth programming that reduces barriers to participation citywide.

• Advancing a strategy for diamond sports, especially girls fastpitch and softball.

• Supporting the Superintendent’s vision for youth programming.

 

I’ve often heard from constituents expressing concern about degraded water quality in our lakes and creeks, the lack of resources dedicated to our urban natural environment, and interest in planning and adapting to climate change. I’ve worked with public partners such as the City, watershed district, and others to put in place long-term strategies and funding to address these priorities.  Key accomplishments include:

• Dedicated public utility fees are now directed to the Park Board to manage stormwater runoff to benefit water quality.

• Creation of a legacy partnership between the Park Board, the City, and the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District to coordinate and focus investment on water quality improvements that will benefit Minnehaha Creek and the Chain of Lakes.

• Significant, ongoing increased funding to manage natural areas including buckthorn removal and restoration projects.

• A new Graco Park building that is not only carbon neutral but it was built with fully electrified mechanical systems (i.e. it will not burn natural gas).

• Adoption of a sensible and actionable Integrated Pest Management Plan.

 

The number one refrain I hear from constituents is that we should prioritize taking care of what we have, and I couldn’t agree more. When it comes to our physical parks, our world-class system is only as good as the assets that make it up. I have worked to direct more funding to parkway pavement upkeep, general major maintenance, and operational strategies such as asset management. Key accomplishments include:

• Long-needed upgrades to the Lake Harriet Bandshell (the blue is back!).

• Funding increases to parkway pavement upkeep that will reverse the deterioration that’s been noticeable for the last several years.

• Establishment of an endowment for maintenance of historic structures such as the Longfellow House, natural areas, and regional parks and trails.

• Refurbishing WPA-era infrastructure at Minnehaha Falls and elsewhere.

• Funding boardwalk upgrades for Minnehaha Falls, Roberts Bird Sanctuary, and Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden.

• Resources directed toward staffing and software that facilitate Asset Management.

 

The principle of the commons refers to the idea that certain resources should be shared and managed collectively by a community, rather than being privately owned or controlled. This concept, made famous by economist and Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom, guides my work as a Park Board Commissioner.

 

The principles of the commons often include:

• Shared Access: Resources are accessible to all members of a community regardless of their individual ownership.

• Collective Responsibility: The community shares the responsibility of managing and protecting the resource.

• Sustainability: The management of the commons should ensure that the resource is used in a way that does not deplete or degrade it over time.

• Cooperation: Individuals and groups must collaborate to ensure sustainable and harmonious use.

• Equity: The benefits of the commons should be shared fairly, ensuring that no one can monopolize or exploit the resources to the detriment of others.

 

Our world-class system of parks belongs to all of us, so it’s crucial that your elected representative on the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board serves with that focus. The principle of the commons guides every decision I make on your behalf as your District 6 commissioner.