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On July 17, the Star Tribune's "Curious Minnesota" feature asked the fundamental question "Why does Minneapolis have a Park Board?"
The answer lies not whether this unique Park and Recreation Board exists, but what it has accomplished. The Minneapolis Park Board was authorized by legislation and affirmed by Minneapolis voters. No such board in any city in North America has the power granted here in the late 1800s. This board not only has the unique power to own land, even outside city boundaries, but to control its own budget and to tax. In other cities, park boards have little or no power, leaving them advisory. The question to the voters in 1883 was whether they wanted to leave the City Council in control or an actual Park Board, in our case, of elected commissioners.
It's likely we would not have what we have if this power had not been granted. Ask these questions, and it's obvious:
- Would we have lakes for everyone's use, with walking and biking paths, or would lakes be like most in urban areas, with homes and businesses abutting them?
- Would we have 49 neighborhood center parks, staffed, for everyone's use within nearly six blocks of every home in the city?
- Would we have massive urban forests, not only in parks, but boulevard trees on every street in the city?
- Would we have golf courses, most outside city limits, as well as so many other recreational opportunities and facilities?
The Park Board has, since its founding, been so much a part of what makes Minneapolis what it is. As an example, the Minneapolis Institute of Art sits on land donated to the Park Board more than 100 years ago. That land also houses the Children's Theatre Company — the largest such theater in the country — and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Besides, where would we be without the land the board owns along the rear Mississippi River and Minnehaha Creek, as well as the iconic Minnehaha Falls?
There is so much in the history and background of this system, which is a major reason Minneapolis residents live here. The system's own park police protect staff and citizen use of the parks.
