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Park and Recreation

Since its inception in 1883, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) system has evolved into one of the most progressive and well-managed park and recreation systems in the country. An elected nine-member board governs the MPRB. Commissioners serve four-year terms, six are elected from designated park districts and three from the city at-large. The semi-autonomous body is responsible for:

  • Maintaining and developing the Minneapolis park system.
  • Enacting ordinances governing the use of neighborhood and regional parks, parkways, beaches, lakes, and special use facilities such as pools, ice arenas and municipal golf courses.
  • Providing recreational opportunities
  • Maintenance of street trees
  • Policing of park properties

The Board of Commissioners appoints a full time Superintendent, who is responsible directly to them and the Superintendent appoints five Assistant Superintendents to head the Administration, Development, Recreation, Operations and Planning Divisions. Through these Divisions, a permanent staff of approximately 600 people as well as 1,500 part-time employees is hired to complete the daily work of the organization.

The primary responsibilities of each MPRB Division

Administration Division: Handles personnel, finances, payroll, budget, grants monitoring, public information services, community relations, legislative coordination and lobbying. The Minneapolis Park Police Department is also part of the Administration Division and is responsible for protecting park property and its users.

Development Division: Responsible for development projects and revenue producing special services including golf courses, an indoor ice arena, and more.

Planning Division: Annually the planning division assesses the needs of the park system and develops a five-year capital improvement program based on facility conditions, available funding, community needs and the need to distribute improvements throughout the city.

Recreation Division: Responsible for all neighborhood and community recreation centers, playgrounds, pools, beaches, cultural arts and environmental programs, youth sports league, adult athletic leagues, citywide adult activities, special events and specialized services for teenage youth.

Operations Division: Includes Maintenance, Forestry, and Environmental Sections. Each Section provides full-time personnel to complete the following assignments:

  • Maintenance staff provides regular park maintenance for all recreation buildings and sites, parkways, natural areas, lakeshores, skating rinks and beaches throughout the system.
  • Forestry staff is responsible for all the park and boulevard trees in Minneapolis. They inspect and trim trees, remove diseased elms, reforest parks and parkways and educate citizens on overall tree protection and maintenance.
  • Environmental staff monitors lake quality, provides horticulture and naturalists' services, and educates the public to increase awareness on environmental issues.

Minneapolis has more parkland per person (770 square feet for every resident) than any other major U. S. city. Every neighborhood has at least one park, which ensures that no Minneapolis resident is more than a few blocks from the benefits of open space. The Minneapolis Park System consists of more than 170 park properties that encompass nearly 6,500 acres of land and water. Park properties are designed to serve a variety of users. The neighborhood and regional parks include playgrounds, tot lots, triangles, golf courses, gardens, picnic areas, biking and walking paths, nature sanctuaries, concert facilities, an indoor ice arena, lakes and ponds, winter sports facilities and a 55-mile parkway system.

The backbone of the park system is its 49 full service neighborhood and community centers. Centers provide a diverse menu of recreation programs and services for all age groups from pre-school to seniors, including special programs planned for people with disabilities. Beyond the centers the MPRB also offers six golf courses, 38 miles of designated walking trails, 36 miles of biking trails, a multitude of athletic fields and over 50 miles of scenic parkways with roads, lighting and landscaping.

The MPRB receives 69% of its annual operating budget from property taxes, 22% in local government aid, 3% in state grants and 5% from other revenues and transfers.

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