In Minneapolis, our parks define who we are as people and as a city. So it’s not surprising that we’ve prioritized bringing waterfront parks to the few areas where they don’t yet reach - particularly along the riverfront of North and Northeast Minneapolis.

Those new parks may be a good idea, but how are we going to find the money to fund them? Can we afford to expand our park system — or would we be crazy not to?

Explore this timely topic with us at a fun evening event. Join Jayne Miller, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, for what we expect will be an insightful and enjoyable interview with the always-entertaining Theater of Public Policy.

Jayne Miller was named Superintendent of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board in 2010. During her tenure, the Park Board has agressively expanded the Park Board’s land in Minneapolis’ Upper River. For the last three years the Minneapolis Park system has earned the Trust for Public Land’s top national honors.

The Theater of Public Policy has earned a national reputation for bringing intelligent humor to liven up discussions on a range of policy issues. Described as “C-Span suddenly being swarmed by the cast of SNL,” they have created engaging, innovative programing that shines a light on key questions through humor, insight, and interaction.

click here to reserve your $5 ticket today!

past forums & related resources

January 2015

Minneapolis after the lock: unlocking new opportunities

The Upper Saint Anthony Falls lock is scheduled to be closed in June 2015. Its closure will change river management practices and have an environmental and an economic impact far beyond the Falls and the local area. The Forum is designed to help provide a better understanding of both the immediate and longer-term consequences of the closure and to hear ideas about how the site and the river can be used in new and different ways.

The speakers at the Forum included:

• John Anfinson, Chief of Resource Management for the National Parks Service
• Nan Bischoff, Project Manager/FERC Coordinator, the Army Corps of Engineers
• Janna King, President, Economic Development Services
• Thomas Meyer, Principal, MSR Architecture, Interiors and Urban Design

The evening was introduced by Minneapolis Third Ward Councilmember Jacob Frey, and moderated by Kathleen Boe, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership.

Video of the event is available courtesy David Tinjum of Mill City Times. Watch the full video below, or click the tabs to navigate to the specific part of the presentation you wanted to see.

• Full Program
• Intro ( Jacob Frey)
• Tom Meyer, MSR
• Nan Bischoff, USACE
• Janna King, EDS
• John Anfinson, NPS
• Q & A Period

August 2014

Minneapolis’ Upper Harbor Terminal: What’s next for the 48-acre property?

How do we redevelop in a way that both creates jobs and provides a meaningful place to live, work and interact with our environment? What does that mean in an urban setting?

The panel will be kicked off by City Council President Barb Johnson. The panel includes experts from the City, Park Board, Metropolitan Council, development community and the National Park Service, including:

• Joe Mullery, Northside neighborhood resident, Minnesota House of Representatives
• Gary Cunningham, Council Member, Metropolitan Council
• John Anfinson, Interim Superintendent, National Park Service
• Kjersti Monson, Director of Long Range Planning, City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development
• Kristin Guild, Business Development Manager, City of Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development
• Bruce Chamberlain, Assistant Superintendent for Planning, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
• Kit Richardson, Principal, Schafer Richardson

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deepening understanding,
while building connections

Our quarterly Riverfront Vitality Forums are designed to deepen understanding of riverfront issues among the broader public, and shed light on possible areas for collaboration into the future.

Above, developer Kit Richardson shares with audience members his insights into the future of Upper Harbor Terminal as part of our July 2014 Riverfront Vitality Forum. (photo credit: Robert Spaulding/MRP)