ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board accomplishments in last three years under Meg’s Presidency

Presided for three years over on-boarding seven new commissioners to our nine member board

  • Established the first-ever co-chairing of board committees to accelerate the onboarding of board commissioners.

Passed our 2025-26 Budget

  • Cares for park amenities and infrastructure.

  • Protects the environment and natural resources.

  • Serves youth by providing access and reducing barriers to quality programming.

  • Invests in employees who deliver services while accounting for inflationary pressures.

  • Supports neighborhood and regional capital investments for improvements and rehabilitation.

  • Utilizes criteria-based systems for project scheduling.

2024 Gold Medal Awarded: Excellence in Park and Recreation Management

Widely recognized as the premier award in the park and recreation industry, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration presented this honor at the annual National Recreation and Park Association Conference in Atlanta, GA.

Critical connections in underserved and under “parked” areas made along our Above the Falls’ Mississippi Riverfront—Our Systems Equity Investments:

  • Graco Park Opened – The first net-zero building in the system, with full participation in Xcel Solar Rewards Community, obtaining 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.

  • Water Works Opened at Owamni, St. Anthony Falls.

  • Upper Harbor’s Park and Parkway Broke Ground.

  • Ole Olson Park to 26th Avenue Overlook Connection – Built under the rail bridge.

Enacted Three Board Legacy Initiatives of our 2023-2026 Strategy Directions:

  • Stormwater Utility Charge on Minneapolis Water Bill – Establishing sustainable funding to support the MPRB’s management of MPRB-owned stormwater infrastructure on park properties.

  • Parkway Pavement Funding – Improving 55 miles of parkways to achieve a Pavement Condition Index equivalent to that of the City of Minneapolis. Advocating for increased parkway funding from the City of Minneapolis and establishing a Joint Powers Agreement.

  • Endowment for Natural Resources, Historic Infrastructure, and Regional Park Maintenance – Partnering with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation to create an endowment supporting natural resources, historic infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance within the Minneapolis park system.