Open Streets event planned for August 11 on Minnehaha

Minnehaha Ave. will be closed so residents can bike, walk, skate, zumba and more

by Tesha M. Christensen

Slow down and appreciate Minnehaha Ave. during this year’s Open Streets event on Sunday, Aug. 11.

Open Streets Minneapolis is a free event that invites everyone to enjoy Minneapolis streets without the presence of motors. Citizens bike, walk, skate, zumba and more on streets that have been closed to traffic. Musicians perform concerts, exercise instructors lead classes, and businesses hold special events.

Organizers believe this was the way streets were meant to be.

“This event will be a unique and new opportunity to fall in love with the great urban neighborhoods like Longfellow again,” said Kristi K. Adams, co-chair of  the Longfellow Business Association. “Often times, when we choose a different mode of transportation in our busy lives, we are able to slow down and appreciate the wonderful diversity that exists in our urban habitat. Plus, it’s free!”

Open Streets grew from the idea Colombian idea of Ciclovía. Since 1976, on Sunday mornings and holidays certain main streets of Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, and other municipalities are blocked off to cars for the exclusive use of runners, skaters, and bicyclists. Almost 2 million people participate weekly. The concept has spread across the world, and the first Open Streets event was held in 2010.

Organized by the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, the first local Open Streets event was held on Lyndale in 2011. It drew 5,000 people.

Open Streets Minneapolis is one of over 70 initiatives in North America modeled after the Ciclovía of Bogotá, Colombia.

This year, there will be four Open Streets events in Minneapolis, one in each quadrant of the city. Lyndale and Lowry are in the southwest, there will be one in northeast, and Minnehaha Ave. is in the southeast.

According to organizer Colin Harris, Minnehaha Ave. works from the city’s perspective because there is a good detour nearby (Hiawatha Ave.). It also works from a neighborhood perspective because it links a busy commercial corridor (Lake St.) with an iconic park (Minnehaha Park).

Open Streets Minneapolis seeks to promote healthy living, local businesses, sustainable transportation and civic pride.

“Benefits include having a street for a day reimagined for recreation (thinking about streets as public space),” pointed out Harris.

Some business owners have fears that the Open Streets events will hurt their business for the day, Open Streets representatives work  to address their fears. Some zoning restrictions are relaxed for the day, and in the past, businesses have held sidewalk sales and other special events, such as concerts. Open Streets representatives have heard from business owners who were absolutely amazed at how long people stayed, and their desire to stay longer. It brought them new customers.

“The event will be a great opportunity to showcase Minnehaha Ave. businesses prior to reconstruction,” observed Longfellow Community Council staff member Ruth Romano.

“Businesses enjoy Open Streets because of the thousands of people walking and biking by -– going at a speed that allows them to better notice their surroundings and engage with businesses,” said Harris. “The street will be much quieter than normal and residents will see old friends and meet new ones.”

Learn more at openstreetsmpls.com.

South High students walkout to support All Nations program

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Minneapolis Youth Movement formed by students to bring about changes in their school district

by Tesha M. Christensen

What began as a protest by Native American students grew into a walkout that united all ethnic groups at South High School on Monday, March 11, 2013.

Organizers estimate that 500-1,000 students peacefully walked out of the school in a show of solidarity.

The event was organized by senior Winona Vizenor, a Native American student enrolled in the All Nations program. The walkout came three weeks after a riot at South High on Feb. 14 that involved up to 300 students and required police intervention. After seeing the Somali students stand up for themselves following the riot, W. Vizenor was inspired.

“We wanted to organize something so we could be heard,” said W. Vizenor.

“We’ve tried talking to the principal, and we were brushed off,” said W. Vizenor. “We don’t have a teacher in our program who stands up for students.”

WHAT IS THE ALL NATIONS PROGRAM?

The All Nations SLC program at South High is a program within a program at the high school. It began in 1989, and is open to students citywide. In addition to the typical math, English and science and other standard classes, Ojibwe culture and language are offered. Ninth and 10th graders enrolled in the program take classes only with other All Nations students; upperclassmen are integrated with the rest of the student body.

However, in recent years several pieces of the program have been eliminated, including the drum group and smudging.

During an assembly in the 700-person auditorium on Monday morning, March 11, prior to the walk-out, students told fellow students, community members, school staff, Principal Cecilia Sadler, Director of Indian Education Danielle Grant, and Minneapolis Public School Associate Superintendent Stephen Flisk that they don’t feel they are “getting the full cultural program they could be getting,” said Lisa Bellanger, from the Minnesota Transitions School who attended as a community member.

“They want it to be enriched,” stated Winona’s mother, Lynette Vizenor. She added, “The program has been falling down, and the students feel that.”

L. Vizenor pointed out that this spring, her daughter will graduate with only one-fourth of the students who entered the All Nations program with her in ninth grade. The rest have dropped out, been suspended or received academic transfers out of the school. At one time, the suspension rate for Native American students at South High School was so high that it was garnering attention, she pointed out. Today, the rate of academic transfers out is high.

“There is still segregation and racism,” L. Vizenor remarked. “There is a problem with administrators.”

STUDENT REQUESTS

Native American students have asked that they be allowed to smudge once more. Smudging involves the burning of sage in a ritual of purification. “It’s a way of cleansing when you feel bad,” explained L. Vizenor. “They find strength in that.”

They have also asked that the drum groups be returned.

And they’ve asked that students not in the All Nations program be allowed to participate as desired. They want to be more integrated with the rest of the school, according to W. Vizenor, and to have other students attend the All Nations classes if they wish.

“My culture is judged out of ignorance,” said W. Vizenor. “And I know I’m not the only culture judged out of ignorance at South High.”

With that in mind, W. Vizenor asked students from many different ethnic groups to speak at the assembly held prior to the walkout.

“All recognized the need for diversity and gave a powerful message about learning and recognizing each other.” Bellanger. “I was really impressed with them.”

“If this is an example of the young people coming up, I’m very happy.”

FROM ASSEMBLY TO WALK-OUT

W. Vizenor had initially planned to organize a walkout, but then agreed to work with school staff to hold an assembly inside instead. Her main stipulations were that any student at South High who wanted to and any community member be allowed to attend. However, during the event, she learned that there were people from both groups who were not allowed in, and at the end of the assembly, she asked those in attendance if they wanted to proceed with the walk-out. They did.

“The walk-out was successful and peaceful,” said W. Vizenor.

She added, “We walked out to support the All Nations program. We walked out to support each other.”

The drummers followed the students out of the assembly into the street to help keep the students focused on peace and unity, noted Bellanger.

The school locked the building down during the walkout. As part of that, administrators said they would not allow students back in to get items they left inside, including their coats and house keys. However, after local Native American activist Clyde Bellecourt  insisted students had the right to get their things, administrators agreed to allow students back in one at a time with supervision, according to W. Vizenor.

Students were also warned before they left the building that their departure would constitute an unexcused absence and that they would not be allowed back without a parent. They were welcome back the next day.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Following the walkout, 50 students gathered at MIGIZI Communications at 3123 E. Lake St. to discuss their next steps. They said that they felt good about what they had accomplished that day. They said they wanted change. And they challenged each other to stay responsible.

The students have formed the Minneapolis Youth Movement, which can be found on Facebook. They intend to start meeting with people from other schools to broaden their understanding of cultural awareness, according to W. Vizenor. Once they’ve listened to each other, they plan to approach the school district with ideas for change.

Their parents and other adults have also taken up the call to action, and plan to begin meeting. To get involved, contact Lynette Vizenor at either lynettevizenor@rocketmail.com or call 612-481-3266.

 “Let’s make a change,” said W. Vizenor.

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Moon Palace Books opens in Longfellow

by Tesha M. Christensen

Two booklovers have opened up a bookstore in Longfellow. Moon Palace Books is located in the same building as Peace Coffee Wonderland Park and Trylon Microcinema at Minnehaha Ave. and 33rd St.

“I’ve written books, published books, and sold books to stores,” said Moon Palace owner Jamie Schwesnedl. “And I love to read, but Angela is a total book maniac. I don’t think anyone who knows her was surprised to hear that she was opening a bookstore."

“I’d probably read everything if I had time,” admitted Jamie’s wife and co-owner Angela Schwesnedl.

She had worked at the Paperback Exchange at 50th and Penn for 10 years, but wanted to sell more new books that reflect her interests and tastes. That combined with a desire to work within walking distance of her Powderhorn residence and a wish to own her own business resulted in the opening of Moon Palace Books last fall.

The small size of the store sets it apart, according to the Schwesnedls. “You can stand in one spot, and see a lot of different kinds of really interesting books,” said Angela. “Chances are, if it’s a new book, one of us has read it, or has it in our to-read pile.”

They have set out to be a neighborhood bookstore, one that people from Longfellow, Powderhorn, and Corcoran can bike or walk to with their kids.

The couple picked a location they were already familiar with, as both have volunteered with the Trylon Microcinema next door, which screens classic films each week. The Trylon uses a pair of Century 35mm projectors donated by the University of Minnesota, as well as 1080p/24 digital projection and 8-channel sound.

“Longfellow is a great neighborhood,” said Angela. “It’s full of readers and writers and people who like to shop where they live. We wanted to be close to businesses we liked so the chance to be in the same building as Peace Coffee and the Trylon was very appealing.”

The name of their bookstore was one the Schwesnedls felt would fit with both Peace Coffee Wonderland Park and the Trylon.

“Moon Palace is the name of a book by Paul Auster. I read it when I was just figuring out what kind of reader I was and what kind of things I like to read, so I always say it’s the book that turned me into a reader,” observed Angela.” It’s about a guy who inherits boxes of books from his uncle and uses the boxes for furniture, and then when things get hard he reads them and sells them.”

Moon Palace Books is a general interest bookstore. The Schwesnedls sell new and used, fiction and non-fiction, kids’ books, cookbooks, and a few magazines.

“We just keep trying to carry more of whatever kinds of things people are buying,” stated James. “Angela works really hard to stay on top of what’s coming out, what looks exciting to her, and what she thinks our customers will like.”

On their web site, customers may order books and either have them shipped to a personal address or direct to the bookstore. They also have e-books available online, and sell Kobo Minis, Glos and the Kobo Arc e-reader tablets in the bookstore. “Just because someone wants to read an e-book doesn’t mean that they have buy from a big internet retailer,” said Angela.

“You can read ebooks and still shop local and support an independent bookstore like Moon Palace Books.” 

UPCOMING EVENTS

There are several upcoming events at Moon Palace Books.

To celebrate the release of his new book, Songs of the Abyss, Eamon Espey has collaborated with Lisa Krause to make a puppet show adaptation of his comic, “Ishi’s Brain.” It will be presented at Moon Palace Books on Saturday, April 20 at 4 p.m. Krause and Espey turn the story into a science fiction ritual where a lone spirit spends his final days and an alien shaman helps guide the dead into the next world. The show includes shadow puppets, masks, a marionette and a liberal use of painted cardboard with an original soundtrack written by Stephen Santillian of Baltimore bands Thank You and Ghost Life.

Join a book discussion and reception World Book Night on April 23.

CONTACT AND HOURS

Learn more about Moon Palace Books by calling 612-454-0455, emailing info@moonpalacebooks.com, or browsing http://www.moonpalacebooks.com.

Hours are Monday to Saturday noon to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

SIDEBAR

ANGELA’S TOP 5 BOOKS (SO FAR THIS YEAR)

1) “Driftless” by David Rhodes

2) “Prairie Silence” by Melanie Hoffert

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

3) “The Voyeurs” by Gabrielle Belle

4) “Devil in a Blue Dress” by Walter Mosley

JAMIE’S TOP 5 BOOKS

1) “The Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler

2) “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fist Fight in Heaven” by Sherman Alexie

3) “Freedom” by Jonathan Franzen

4) “Just Kids” by Patti Smith

5) “Bluebeard” by Kurt Vonnegut

South High looks to future following student melee

District plans to involve students and parents as it moves forward

by Tesha M. Christensen

South High School parent Linda Leonard was surprised that the district did not suspend classes the day after a food fight erupted into a melee involving hundreds of students.

“I was stunned they decided to have school on Friday,” stated Leonard.

After hearing the rumors there would be more fights, and knowing that there have been planned fights behind the YWCA and Target in the past, Leonard opted to keep her daughter, Mary-Juanita Leonard, home from school on Feb. 15, 2013. Mary-Juanita returned to class the next Tuesday, following the President’s Day break, after students had “a chance to calm down and collect themselves emotionally,” said her mother.

Mary-Juanita, a sophomore at South High, was in class on the third floor when they began to hear rumors about a fight in the cafeteria. After a series of bells went off, an announcement was made to empty the halls. Students who had been running through the building entered Mary-Juanita’s classroom.

 “I was wondering if the whole school was fighting each other,” recalled Mary-Juanita.

A fight, which began small during the first lunch period, escalated during the third lunch period at 12:45 p.m. as 200-300 students shoved, kicked and threw bottles at one another. No weapons were used and no one was arrested, although three students and one staff member were taken to the hospital for medical treatment. Both the school district and police investigations are ongoing and additional disciplinary action, as well as criminal charges of disorderly conduct and rioting, are possible. About 25 school staff members intervened. Students dispersed when a chemical irritant was used by Minneapolis Police officers.

Mary-Juanita has heard the news reports suggesting that this melee was racially motivated, part of ongoing tensions with Somali-Americans. Mary-Juanita, herself a Haitian-American, views the violence as being more related to gangs.

“I think the school should have an assembly and talk about all the groups in our school,” suggested Mary-Juanita. She would like to see discussions on the challenges each ethnic group represented at South High faces, and believes that if each group understood each other better students would be less judgmental of each other.

“This could happen again in the future,” Mary-Juanita warned.

Her mother hopes that a plan is created so that students know what to do in a situation such as this. Leonard pointed out that the students who were not involved in the fight didn’t know what to do and where to go to get away from the violence.

Leonard views the issue as being greater than merely a school problem, and sees it as a problem that all the various agencies in the city of Minneapolis should be working together on.

“It would be great if we educate our young people for cultural intelligence,” Leonard said. “It would be one of Minneapolis’ finest strengths to teach that concept.”

Restorative measures began on Tuesday, Feb. 19. According to Minneapolis Public Schools Chief Community Officer Stan Alleyne, the district will begin gathering students together in small groups. “We want to make sure the students have the opportunity to discuss what happened and how to move forward,” said Alleyne. Parents will also be pulled into the discussion.

“It should make us stronger in the long run,” he said.

Alleyne pointed out that the school day on Friday, Feb. 15 proceeded without any incidents. 

On the day following the melee, the school building was under a code yellow lockdown. Access into and out of the building was limited and students remained in their classrooms at all times. Extra school resource officers and central office staff members were on site. More adults than typical were at the school the next week, as well.

South High Principal Cecilia Saddler said, “I am proud of our students, who came to school to learn while being respectful of the environment and additional adult supervision. They have shown maturity and a willingness to address this issue in a positive way. I am optimistic that appropriate student responses will continue.”

At South High, nearly half of the school’s 1,750 students are students of color, and of those, 8 percent are of Somali heritage.

 “We are at the beginning of a necessary learning process in which we will engage parents, students, community members and partners to address challenges at South High School,” said Minneapolis Public Schools Chief Executive Officer Rick Mills. “I am confident that we can grow from this experience and become better as a school and school district.”

Xcel cuts Hiawatha substation artwork by half to reduce costs

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Midtown Greenway Coalition offers alternatives that would prioritize trail users, but Xcel is proceeding with reduction

by Tesha M. Christensen

The new 3.25-acre Xcel substation at Hiawatha and 28th Ave. will no longer be screened on all sides by angled aluminum mesh walls.

Instead, Xcel is cutting back the amount of artwork on the facility by about half, a move that the Midtown Greenway Coalition says will negatively affect trail users.

“The last minute change to the substation design was a surprise and very disappointing,” said Midtown Greenway Coalition Executive Director Soren Jensen. “We were excited about the original design, which was approved by a citizen advisory group convened by Xcel. That original design had artwork wrapping almost entirely around the substation.”

When the design for the new substation was released in 2012, it garnered praise for being a unique and creative structure. The design was of a translucent cube that would glow yellow at night, complementing the blue-lit Sabo Bridge nearby. The plan was to have all four walls composed of extruded metal, a metal mesh surface that is semi-transparent. The metal would be given an anodized finish to color it. Additional color would come from lighting.

The advisory work group pushing designers to be creative included representatives from Xcel Energy, the city of Minneapolis, Hennepin County and community organizations. The group met for four months and conducted several open houses, working to develop a substation design that would be technically feasible and aesthetically pleasing, according to Xcel representative Patti Nystuen.

After the group met, an engineering and budget analysis was completed. The designs filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission had reduced and re-engineered screening on both the Hiawatha substation, as well as the one on Oakland Ave. and 29th St.

“These revisions were necessary to meet safety and budget concerns of the original designs,” said Nystuen. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a substation screening budget for both substations of $1.3 million.

“Xcel Energy tried to keep the integrity of the originally presented design with as much of the wall as possible on all sides,” said Nystuen.

She added, “Xcel Energy feels that the current wall design respects the guiding principles established through the advisory work group and respects the interest of the participating parties in the group’s process.”

The Midtown Greenway Coalition disagrees.

“The new design, which was not approved by the citizen group, reduces the artwork almost in half.  As a result, it now looks more like a half-hearted attempt to screen an ugly substation,” said Jensen.

Xcel has received 77 comments from citizens regarding the change. All but two asked that the artwork wrap around the north/northeast corner of the substation.

“We are disappointed that Xcel appears to be ignoring public comments, and is proceeding with the new design, which greatly reduces the proposed art wall around the substation,” stated Jensen.

The Midtown Greenway Coalition is requesting that the advisory work group be reconvened by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to review the design.

The Coalition has proposed a number of alternatives that would not increase the project cost, but would provide artwork on the east and north sides. This would screen the substation from trail users, who come closer to the substation than drivers on Hiawatha do.

Jensen stated, “Since the substation is mostly impacting the Midtown Greenway, the priority should be protecting the Greenway viewshed and minimizing the aesthetic impact to the trail.”

Site work at the Hiawatha location behind Target has begun, and the project will be complete in 2014.

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Wabun’s new playground will be city’s first Universal Access one

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Construction to begin this spring on playground that will make it easier for those with disabilities to use

by Tesha M. Christensen

Over 60 years ago, Minnehaha’s Wabun park provided respite to travelers. Later this year, it will provide a place where children of all abilities can gather together at an auto camp-themed playground.

This summer, the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board will construct the city’s first Universal Access playground at Wabun, replacing the equipment there that was installed in 1973. At the park, those with disabilities will be able to use 90% of the play features, a figure significantly higher than the average.  

“I truly believe that bringing children together from a variety of backgrounds and varying abilities will benefit all of us,” stated Peggy Halvorson of Falls 4 All, the non-profit that raised $760,000 for this project together with People for Parks.

“We learn, by playing together at an early age, to accept and understand our differences and see each other as worthwhile, compassionate and whole beings.”

Universal Access playgrounds go a step farther than those that meet the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. While ADA standards call for paths and ramps wheelchairs can traverse, in a universal access playground all ramps are wide enough for wheelchairs and kids don’t have to be transferred out of wheelchairs to use equipment. The surfacing is soft enough to cushion a fall.

There are currently only three such playgrounds in Minnesota: Rochester, Red Wing and St. Cloud. A fourth, Madison’s Place, in Woodbury will also be under construction this summer.

WHY BUILD A UNIVERSAL ACCESS PLAYGROUND?

In the United States today, one in five have disabilities, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Minneapolis Park Board Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Toby Broadrick pointed out that number is expected to rise to 25% of the population in the next decade.

“Too many playgrounds in their design tell kids and adults with disabilities that they are not welcome -- Everything from sand surfacing to no ramps that allow access to the upper play elements,” observed Broadrick. “Some playgrounds don’t even have an accessible pathway to the playground and Wabun is a classic example of that!”

Two years ago, four accessible picnic shelters, a restroom building, and a zero-entry wading pool were constructed at Wabun to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

“It makes perfect sense to put a playground that is fully accessible on that site so that the people that need that kind of amenity can feel included and respected,” said Broadrick.

“I sincerely hope that the Longfellow community is proud to be a part of something that will have a lasting and important impact on so many lives,” said Halvorson.

WHAT WILL THE NEW PLAYGROUND LOOK LIKE?

The inspiration for the playground design at Wabun came from the area’s history as an auto tourist camp in the 1920-1950s.

Elements within the new playground will reflect that history, including a play 1920s-era vehicle, a 1930s-style camper that sways, and a log-cabin aesthetic. In addition to two separate play areas for ages 2-5 and 5-12, there will be a quiet area for kids that need to avoid the over stimulation of noisy, active play. It will have a play fire pit, boulders and tents.

“I love the quiet area and the accommodations for the autism spectrum,” said District 3 Parks Commissioner Scott Vreeland.

Feedback from various surveys showed a preference for the two play areas (2-5 and 5-12) to be close together so that a parent can stand between them and watch both areas at once.

“I love how the design is somewhat ‘upside down’ in that there are not so many ramps, but a large walkway that brings the access to the top of the equipment,” observed Halvorson.

Some residents have expressed concern about the artificial turf planned for the area. “Fake grass in our oldest regional park is not authentic, and its unchanging unnatural green will distract visitors who come to experience a natural area,” said Minneapolis resident Lisa Hondros.

Halvorson pointed out that the more traditional surface for accessible playgrounds, a poured-in-place surfacing with a rubberized matting overlay, is much more expensive, and the Park Board is saving money by opting to use the artificial turf instead.

Park Board Commissioners debated the issue during both of their January meetings on the plans, but decided to proceed with the artificial turf. Commissioner Annie Young reminded the public that this playground will be a different play area than others in the city, and it needs to be accessible by those in wheelchairs. While she personally dislikes the artificial turf, she thinks that it will work well for this type of use.

 Construction is expected to begin in spring of 2013. A ground breaking will occur in April 2013, and a grand opening in September 2013.

In addition to a new playground in the Wabun area of Minnehaha Park, the playground off 45th St. will be redone. The entire cost for both park playgrounds is $1.5 million.

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SIDEBAR:

Park board holds off on one Minnehaha Park playground

The Park Board held off approving the Minnehaha Park North Plateau playground design at its Jan. 16, 2013 meeting. It will review the plan again in February. The North Plateau playground is located off 45th St.

“There needs to be a little more clarity about what that is actually going to look like,” said Commissioner Carol Kummer, who represents the Nokomis and Powderhorn neighborhoods.

While there was a professionally done, 3D rendering of the Wabun design, a similar drawing was not completed for the North Plateau playground. According to Park Board planner Andrea Weber, this was because the park staff do not have the capability to make these 3D designs themselves. The one for Wabun was completed by the playground manufacturer that designed the park. At the North Plateau playground, the park board did not accept a design from a single manufacturer, but instead pulled in pieces from several different ones.

New classic pieces will be arranged in orthogonal groupings. Freestanding slides, fulcrum see-saws, merry-go-rounds and a dome climber are in the older play area. Balance beams, stepping pods and crawl tunnels are in the younger play area. Sand play includes diggers, a sand table and classic molded metal animal spring rockers and concrete play animals to recall the “Longfellow Gardens” Zoo, which was once nearby.

The swings and the climbing structure currently at the park will remain; they were built by a WPA work crew in the 1940s. Designers worked around the existing trees when planning. There will be a play area for ages 2-5 on the east side, and an area for ages 5-12 on the west. A sand pit will be on the south side. The colors for the park will be subdued, natural tones, and the materials used will be metal and wood.

“Parents are excited about seeing a play area similar to what they had as parents,” stated Weber.

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Park Board focuses on urban agriculture

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Plan being development to guide park activities

David Rogers walks his dog past the Lake Nokomis Naturescape, a demonstration garden that illustrates how people can incorporate native plants in their home landscaping. Demonstrations and classes on native gardens are a piece of Urban Agriculture in Minneapolis. Over the next few months, park staff are soliciting ideas and comments from citizens as they work to create an Urgan Agriculture plan for the city.Urban agriculture is about more than just community gardens, said Ginger Cannon of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB). It encompasses everything from demonstration gardens to farmer’s markets to serving healthy foods at rec centers. (Photo by Tesha M. Christensen)

by Tesha M. Christensen

Confused about what urban agriculture is and why the Minneapolis parks department is involved?

You’re not the only one.

It’s a tough thing to grasp because the definition of urban agriculture is constantly evolving.

“In the city of Minneapolis, we’re still trying to figure out what it means,” said Ginger Cannon of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board (MPRB).

The official definition is this: “The effort to support production, consumption, distribution and waste management in an urban environment.”

It is about more than just community gardens, according to Cannon.

“Urban agriculture is everything from farmer’s markets to composting,” said Cannon.

Those engaged in urban agriculture activities may raise chickens. They may grow their own food in either a community garden or personal garden. Or, they may sell local foods at a neighborhood farmers market. 

The practice of urban agriculture helps to meet local food needs while providing environmental, health, social and economic benefits for the community.

Public feedback desired

MPRB is working to develop a comprehensive Urban Agriculture plan. The first step is to solicit public feedback. A series of meetings were held throughout the city in November and December, including one at the Nokomis Rec Center on Dec. 4.

“We want to hear from the community,” said Cannon. “What are the things you think the park should support?”

Comments are still being taken via the MPRB web site. There is a link to the Urban Agriculture Survey at www.minneapolisparks.org on the left navigation bar on the home page.

This plan will:

• Define and prioritize community needs

• Provide recommendations to enhance community services

• Guide allocation of resources to better support urban agriculture as government organization.

Current urban agriculture in the parks

MPRB is currently involved in a range of urban agriculture activities.

While the MPRB does not establish community gardens on any of its park land, it does manage several demonstration gardens. The largest one is Shady Rivers at the Theodore Wirth Regional Park. There youth learn now to plant, harvest and process food. It is then donated to local food shelves.

MPRB does rents four parcels of land it obtained through tax forfeiture to community garden groups (Bancroft Meridian Garden, Soo Line Gardens and Shingle Creek Neighborhood Association). There are another 7 possible locations, including three within the Nokomis East neighborhood.

One of the largest natural demonstration gardens in the city is the Nokomis Naturescape at 50th. It is also the focus of the popular Monarch Festival held each September that the park board helps organize. Three gardens at Minnehaha Park (Longfellow Garden, Song of Hiawatha Garden and the Pergola garden) offer residents the opportunity to learn more about how to garden. The knowledge can then be applied to growing any kind of plant. An area of growth for MPRB might be to not only demonstrate this type of gardening, but to also actively teach it. “We know that people want more programming,” observed Cannon. Classes might include how to improve the soil, permaculture, and which foods to grow in which seasons.

Also important to the MPRB is that vendors in its parks practice composting, which Sandcastle, the new vendor at Nokomis Beach, intends to do.

In Powderhorn, there is a rain garden project.

MPRB could opt to focus more on any one of these efforts, or it could do something new.

A number of ideas have been suggested by citizens at community meetings.

Some have encouraged the MPRB to set aside land for demonstration farms. Others want to see classes at the Rec Center kitchens on how to process food.

MPRB runs the largest childcare program in the city, and some people want MPRB to use this opportunity to teach youth about how to eat healthy.

MPRB could broaden its net and seek to address the food desert in the city, those areas where residents don’t have easy access to healthy food options.

“These are all possibilities,” said Cannon.

WHAT’S NEXT

Following these initial community meetings, the parks staff will now meet with focus groups. The first draft of the Urban Agriculture plan will be completed by late spring 2013. After another round of discussions, the final plan will go before the park board in late 2013.

Sign up for email updates on the project at www.minneapolisparks.org.

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SIDEBAR

What is “urban agriculture”?  Most broadly, the term refers to growing and raising crops and animals in an urban setting for the purpose of feeding local populations. It can include community gardens, commercial gardens, community support agriculture (CSA), farmer’s markets, personal gardens and urban farms.