The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) are preparing the first-ever Ecological System Plan. This plan will set a vision for making parks and public lands more friendly to the environment.

 An appointed Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will help guide the plan, with the second of several CAC meetings scheduled for 5:30-7:30 pm Wednesday, August 27, at Park Board Headquarters, 2117 West River Road in Minneapolis.The public may attend CAC meetings, which feature a brief public comment period at the end of each meeting. 

 The August 27 meeting will help MPRB staff prepare to visit with the public at neighborhood festivals, farmers markets, and other events throughout the fall. The meeting will discuss:

• A set of ecologically focused maps of the city
• The detailed plan for visiting with the community throughout the fall
• What questions to ask the community about nature in the city

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; and

In addition to attending this CAC meeting, the public may provide input and stay informed about the project in the following ways:

•  Visit the project website to stay up to date on the project and see some of the amazing maps and drawings we plan to create. Go to www.minneapolisparks.org/currentprojects and select “Ecological System Plan.”
•  Attend future CAC meetings. The next scheduled meeting is on October 16 in the evening, location and time to be determined. Keep informed by subscribing (see below) or visiting the project website.
•  Attend any of the planned community events that will take place in the parks over the next year and a half. More details will be made available on the project website and by govdelivery as these events are scheduled and planned.
•  Sign up to receive e-mail updates by subscribing on the project website or at www.minneapolisparks.org/subscribe or, if you are already a subscriber, by adding “Ecological System Plan” to your subscription preferences.

At last week’s community meeting, the MN Department of Health provided information on vermiculite safety, here are the links for those that weren’t able to be there:

Background Vermiculite Information

Vermiculite and Gardening Use

Vermiculite Insulation

We are  short one 1 year term director.  We will need nominations from the floor or we can elect the slate and get another board director in June.

Paula Allan 3 year term
Joe Belk 2 year term
Mary Rose Ciatti alternate
Denny Grodahl alternate
Jeff Kraker 3 year term
Britt Lundberg 1 year term
Donna Norberg 1 year term
Jeff Pilacinski 2 year term
Reaanne Reed-Viken 2 year term
Pat Vogel 3 year term
Eric Winer 1 year term

Email [email protected] if interested

807 Broadway Update
Last summer, the Minneapolis School Board selected Hillcrest Development to purchase their old headquarters (807 Broadway). Currently, the School District and the City of Minneapolis are working on resolving a Right of Way issue on Quincy Street. Once this issue is resolved, Hillcrest will start work on the project. Here is a link for more details on their plans: http://hillcrestdevelopment.com/projects/807-broadway-street-ne/

Background
In 2012, Logan Park residents formed the 807 Broadway Task Force to have a voice in the decision-process. The Task Force was designated the community engagement partner by the CPED (Community Planning and Economic Development Dept) who assisted MPS in selling 807. The Task Force met with all interested developers and recommended 100% commercial development for 807 to replace lost jobs from the relocation of MPS headquarters.

Central Avenue Closure Meeting

DATE: March 19, 2014
WHEN: 2:00 PM
WHERE: Nimbus Theatre – 1517 Central Avenue NE
WHAT: Meet Ron Rauchle — MNDOT Project Engineer for the Closure and MNDOT Public Relations Agent — Bobbie Dahlke
WHY: Because we need a plan of action so that businesses survive and thrive during the 7-9 month shutdown and detour. Get the facts.

SPONSOR: NE Community Development Corporation [email protected] 612-627-9366

Reunión de la clausura de Central Ave

Fecha:    09 de marzo 2014
Cuándo: 14:00
Dónde:    Nimbus Theater – 1517 Central Ave. NE
Qué:        Reunión de información para los negocios. Ron Rauchle, elingeniero de proyectos para MNDOT, y el Agente Público de BSNF RR y MNDOT, Bobbie Dahlke, responderá a las preguntas sobre la clausura.
Por qué: Porque necesitamos un plan de acción para que las empresas puedan sobrevivir durante la clausura de 7-9 meses.

Patrocinador: NE Community Development Corporation [email protected] 612-627-9366

Minneapolis to Launch New Program to Help

 Northeast Ride Recap Video

Photo Contest returns for fourth year to highlight beauty, events and fun in Minneapolis parks

Sign up NOW for free photography classes taught by National Camera Exchange instructor – first class offered Sat June 1

Take your best shot! The Picture a Park Photo Contest has returned for the fourth consecutive year.  New this summer, several free indoor and outdoor photography classes are being offered, with the first class from 10am-Noon this Saturday, June 1, at Nokomis Recreation Center.

Learn how to take better photographs using your SLR, point and shoot or cell phone camera. Space is limited and pre-registration is required, so visitwww.minneapolisparks.org/photocontest and register today! Future classes will be held June 22 at Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Recreation Center, July 20 at Minnehaha Falls, and August 3 at the Rose Garden.

Sponsored by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), People for Parks (PFP) and National Camera Exchange, the Photo Contest is designed to highlight photos taken year-round in Minneapolis parks.

Contest Categories
• Beauty in the Parks – Capture the everyday beauty within the parks, including wildlife, historic sites and breathtaking views.
• Events in the Parks – Photograph a whimsical event or community celebration in Minneapolis Parks.
• Fun in the Parks – Document a fun park activity, such as a concert, movie, bike ride or picnic.
• Photos by Youth – Budding photographers age 17 and younger can submit photos of their favorite Minneapolis Parks in any of the three subject areas – beauty, fun, events.

The next time you’re walking around the Chain of Lakes, riding your bike around the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, attending an event in the parks or simply playing in a neighborhood park with friends, bring a camera and take a few photos. Photo contest entries can depict people, activities, events, nature and places in the Minneapolis Park System from any time of the year.

The contest is open to amateurs of all ages, Minneapolis residents and non-residents, with categories for both youth and adults. Photos must be unpublished, color, and taken within the Minneapolis Park System. Photographs from all seasons are encouraged and accepted. Photographers can submit up to three entries. There is no entry fee.

Prizes will be awarded for contest-winning photos, including gift certificates, Annual Patron Parking Permits, and water park and winter recreation passes. A public vote will take place online in September to choose among a selection of entries as the People’s Choice Award winner. Photo contest winners also have the opportunity to have their photo appear on the 2014 Annual Parking Permit, distributed to nearly 7,000 park patrons.

All photos and entry forms must be submitted online by Sept. 2, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. through the National Camera Exchange website at www.natcam.com.

Complete contest rules and guidelines as well as previous contest winning photos are available for viewing online at www.minneapolisparks.org/photocontest.

“Minneapolis Public Schools Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson has recommended the School Board select Northeast-based Hillcrest Development to purchase and redevelop the district’s former headquarters at 807 Broadway St. NE.

Hillcrest is one of seven developers bidding on the chance to redevelop the building, which was built in 1914 to house a light bulb factory. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the superintendent’s recommendation May 28.”

See full article here.

Ward One Update City Council Member Kevin Reich 350 S. 5th Street, Room 307, Minneapolis, MN 55415 (612) 673-2201 · [email protected]

You’re invited to a community forum:   State of the Second Precinct Wednesday, May 8, 6 – 7:30 p.m. Firefighter’s Hall & Museum, 664 – 22nd Avenue NE   This community forum, which is co-hosted by Council Member Kevin Reich, 2 PAC and the Northeast Chamber of Commerce, offers an opportunity to meet new 2nd Precinct Inspector Kathy Waite and bid farewell to former 2ndPrecinct Inspector Bryan Schafer, while learning about the current state of the Precinct and plans for the future. All are welcome to this family-friendly event and pizza and refreshments will be served. Call the First Ward Office at612-673-2201 for more information or click HERE to RSVP. City of Minneapolis · Update Preferences · Unsubscribe If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact [email protected].

Ritz Theater

345 13th Ave. NE

7 p.m.