Project Location

Citywide Minneapolis, MN

Project Manager

Adam Arvidson
Phone: 612-230-6470
Email: aarvidson@minneapolisparks.org

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Language Resources

Correo Electrónicopreguntas@minneapolisparks.org Emailsuaalo@minneapolisparks.org

Key Documents

Status

Current Phase: Complete
Implementation: Upon Adoption
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Minneapolis Parks Ecological System Plan approved by Board of Commissioners

At its September 2, 2020 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners approved the Ecological System Plan. The plan now serves as the MPRB’s principal policy document […]

Public hearing on Minneapolis Parks Ecological System Plan scheduled August 19

Please note this date supersedes publication notice of Aug. 5 previously published in the Star Tribune

Deadline to comment on Minneapolis Parks Ecological System Plan extended to June 15

Online survey will remain open for two more weeks in light of events over the past week

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Project History

Mid 2020

  • Likely adoption of Ecological System Plan

February – May 2019

  • Public comment period on Draft Plan

March 2018 – January 2019

  • Creation of Draft Ecological System Plan

March 2017 – March 2018

  • CAC meetings 5-9

June 2017

  • Public Engagement Phase I begins to build awareness about plan purpose and topics

March 2017

  • Ecological System Plan Restarts

May 2015

  • Project is put on hold to address other necessary community discussions in 2015 and 2016.

March 2014 – April 2015

  • Phase 1: Project initiation; Community Advisory Committee (CAC) appointment, PAT establishment, connection with RAs, and consultant and artist-in-residence selection
  • Community Engagement Plan [PDF]
  • CAC meetings 1-4

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Community Engagement

Community Engagement Plan [PDF]

CAC Meetings

The CAC is comprised of both appointed members and meeting attendees from throughout Minneapolis and the MWMO jurisdiction. Its main charge is to contribute to broad community engagement by acting as primary contact for the CAC’s represented communities, and by enhancing the project’s interaction with a wide range of stakeholders. The public may attend CAC meetings. Time for general public comment will be reserved at the end of each meeting

Attend a Community Event

In the spring and summer of 2017, we will host a variety of engagement events out in the community and in the parks. We are still working on exactly where we will be, so check back later for more details.

Upcoming Meetings

ECO: home OLOGY: study ECOLOGY: the study of home This photograph was taken in 1972 from the window of Apollo 17. It’s called the “Blue Marble.” This is the last image of the whole earth taken by a person, and it came at a time of environmental awakening for our nation. It got us thinking about home – our home, our region, our city. What is our home environment really like? And how can we make it even better? Urbanization can be a problem for natural systems. Increased pavement, vehicle traffic, higher urban temperatures, and general use can negatively impact urban waterways, green spaces, and the air. Cities, however, can help solve many of the problems they create – if managed properly. The Ecological System Plan will seek to first understand the ecology of the city and watershed, then plan for parks and public lands management and improvements that benefit both humans and nature. It will address specific threats such as climate change, decreasing water quality, explosion of invasive species, increasing runoff, and fragmentation of habitat. It will envision a more environmentally sound way of managing the impacts of the city, so that the city can be cleaner, greener, cooler, and more efficient. Specifically, the ecological system plan will:

  • Compile, create, and illustrate city-wide ecological data
  • Craft a vision for natural resources and public lands within the watershed and city
  • Outline guiding principles for management
  • Challenge the community to rethink the city around them – from the local neighborhood park to the Grand Rounds to backyards – in terms of ecological function, benefit, and health

Funding General O&M Funds

  • Amount: $90,000
  • Expiration: N/A

Grant from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization

  • Amount: $100,000
  • Expiration: N/A