The At Large Park Board race includes incumbents Meg Forney and Londel French with challengers Katherine Kelly, Mary McKelvey, Tom Olsen, Charles Rucker, and Alicia D. Smith. Incumbent LaTrisha Vetaw is running for Ward 4 City Council instead of for re-election. Voters will choose three candidates to fill the three At Large seats, which represent the entire city.
The Park Board in Minneapolis is a particularly powerful body compared to other cities around the country – it has the ability to levy its own property taxes, has its own police force, and is in charge of the bountiful parkland and recreation programs that exist across the city.
If some of the answers look overly brief, it's because we forced them to keep their responses to 40-50 words or less, so blame us, not them!
Meg Forney
Why do you want to be on, or be re-elected to, the Park Board?
With climate change impacts on those economically challenged and people of color, our park system is the catalyst for addressing our inequities. We need to promote equitable park access for all families, to support our climate initiative, to invest in programs for our city’s youth, in a financially sustainable manner.
Do you support the Park Board’s Comprehensive Plan: Parks for All? Is there anything you would change about it?
I support the amended Plan—amendments I moved in response to community input. I advocated for a comprehensive park plan in 2000 when none had been done for over 40 years. I am grateful we are “renewing” our vision for our 138-year system, through extensive community engagement.
How would you balance funding physical park improvements vs. investing in programming (services, sports, etc.)?
I was a lead commissioner in funding for 20 years our our neighborhood plan (NPP20), infusing annually $11 million for capital rehabilitation and addressing gaps in our system. I am grateful for this current board’s focus to invest in youth, approving a commitment of five years of funding — $2.6 million annually.
How does equity play a role in how we manage/invest in park and recreation assets?
NPP20 utilizes a Racial Equity Matrix ensuring data-driven, equity-based criteria to prioritize capital investment and rehabilitation projects in our parks. Acknowledging racial and economic disparities are clear guidelines for how projects are selected and prioritized, taking the “influence” out of addressing asset management, basing decisions on the use of data.
What are some out-of-the-box or interesting things you’d help do to ensure Minneapolis remains the best parks city in the US?
Our emergency tree levy expires this year. I am a lead commissioner in a Climate Resiliency Initiative, beginning the creation of certified carbon-offset-credit program to create revenue to grow green space, to support environmental resiliency. 20-year campaign, planting, maintaining 200,000 additional street and parkland trees, expanding MPRB Urban Forestry capabilities.
Do you have any endorsements you'd like us to mention?
Star Tribune, DFL Senior Caucus, Friends of Hiawatha, Senator Scott Dibble, House Representatives Frank Hornstein & Jamie Long, Mayor Jacob Frey, Council Members Linea Palmisano, Lisa Goodman, and Kevin Reich.
Londel French
Why do you want to be on, or be re-elected to, the Park Board?
I decided to run after Donald Trump got elected, saying “Minneapolis has to focus on our neighborhoods and bringing people together. In Minneapolis, with its racial disparities, we must leverage resources to make Minneapolis livable for every resident.” This statement has become even more true as we’ve faced more complex issues than I could have imagined when I was elected.
Do you support the Park Board’s Comprehensive Plan: Parks for All? Is there anything you would change about it?
I do support the the plan. I would liked to have seen more programming for 18 to 25 year olds.
How would you balance funding physical park improvements vs. investing in programming (services, sports, etc.)?
I would make sure we are looking at parts of the city that have been historically neglected to make sure we are not forgetting people who need our parks.
How does equity play a role in how we manage/invest in park and recreation assets?
As a black man living and working in America equity has been major driver on how and why I do this work.
What are some out-of-the-box or interesting things you’d help do to ensure Minneapolis remains the best parks city in the US?
I would make sure the we are not letting fees stop families from enjoying our programs. I want to reduce barriers to joy for the folks of Minneapolis
Do you have any endorsements you'd like us to mention?
MYDFL, Native Caucus, Stonewall DFL, MFT 59, SPFT, MRLF AFL-CIO, SEIU State Council, AFSCME Council 5, TakeAction
Katherine Kelly
Why do you want to be on, or be re-elected to, the Park Board?
I am running for Park Board because of my 3 passions, my 3 priorities, my 3 areas of focus in my life are Minneapolis parks and rec, people, and planet. I want to take our park and rec from being number one to being the best in the world.
Do you support the Park Board’s Comprehensive Plan: Parks for All? Is there anything you would change about it?
At this time I support the Parks for All Plan. Going forward if there was something that would need to be update or amended as a future commissioner I would review the information and take timely action.
How would you balance funding physical park improvements vs. investing in programming (services, sports, etc.)?
Increasing our revenue. Create new revenue paths. To be successful in this day and age you need to grow and expand because if one area is not creating profit it will take a toll on the other areas. All areas need to work like a well oiled machine.
How does equity play a role in how we manage/invest in park and recreation assets?
We need to be fair when we manage and invest in the park and rec assets with opportunity and access. Equity is import to me because I do not want my children to say "Mom, why did you stand by and do nothing?"
What are some out-of-the-box or interesting things you’d help do to ensure Minneapolis remains the best parks city in the US?
Wow! The possibilities are endless. We could create you tube videos on parks and rec to create passive income. We could partner with the local sports teams to volunteer. We could create an event to share ideas.
Do you have any endorsements you'd like us to mention?
God. My Dad and my Mom.
Mary McKelvey
Why do you want to be on, or be re-elected to, the Park Board?
Parks are integral to Minneapolis’ identity and well-being. Recently, the Board has lost focus from the core missions of the parks; stewarding its natural resources, and providing healthy recreational opportunities. After serving on two Park Community Advisory Councils and watching countless Board meetings, I will refocus if elected your Commissioner.
Do you support the Park Board’s Comprehensive Plan: Parks for All? Is there anything you would change about it?
Yes, and it was just approved by the Board. This Plan, written with community input, is a common basis for boards and staff to make decisions based on equitable principles. I will advocate to fine-tune some of its data points to ensure we meet our benchmarks.
How would you balance funding physical park improvements vs. investing in programming (services, sports, etc.)?
Fortunately, this isn't an either/or question, because capital expenditures use different funding sources than the General fund, where most service and recreation program funding comes from. We can say yes to both, and they will enhance each other.
How does equity play a role in how we manage/invest in park and recreation assets?
NPP20, or the 20 year Neighborhood Parks plan, was designed with a racial equity matrix that is now a national model. I support using this transparent, public matrix to determine when and where to invest in our neighborhood parks. I think this matrix could be expanded to areas such as trails, programming and services.
What are some out-of-the-box or interesting things you’d help do to ensure Minneapolis remains the best parks city in the US?
I’d like to develop ways to entice park patrons to learn more about ecology in our own neighborhoods, stewardship, teamwork, fair play, water and land systems, physical activity at any age and all seasons, and civic engagement. With many educators likely on the new board, this idea is exciting.
Do you have any endorsements you'd like us to mention?
I am endorsed by the Star Tribune, by Councilmember Linea Palmisano, the DFL Senior Caucus, and by Somali Minnesotan, World Champion runner, Abdi Bile.
Tom Olsen
Why do you want to be on, or be re-elected to, the Park Board?
I want to serve on the Park Board because we need a youth voice who is focused on climate action, working to make our parks sustainable for future generations. I also have past governing experience which will allow me to govern and manage our parks with care.
Do you support the Park Board’s Comprehensive Plan: Parks for All? Is there anything you would change about it?
I do support it. It recognizes the many priorities we must balance as a Park Board, while acknowledging changes we must make to ensure our parks thrive into the future. If anything, it could make stronger climate commitments, but individual commissioners can take that upon themselves to accomplish.
How would you balance funding physical park improvements vs. investing in programming (services, sports, etc.)?
We must fund these in roughly equal measure. Improved maintenance reduces barriers to our parks, and we should prioritize that over new projects. Services build community and can help heal divides that have spread over the last two years, so this can not be neglected.
How does equity play a role in how we manage/invest in park and recreation assets?
This will be one of the leading criteria when I decide how to invest in our parks. The Park Board has a racial equity funding guide, and it’s important that commissioners use this. We must focus our attention on historically underinvested neighborhoods so we can lift up every community.
What are some out-of-the-box or interesting things you’d help do to ensure Minneapolis remains the best parks city in the US?
Opening our parkways to pedestrians was an incredible success last summer. I would implement this more often when the weather is nice for certain parkways. I would also like to allow open liquor, if managed like other successful cities (Savannah, Paris), this will be a boon to our city.
Do you have any endorsements you'd like us to mention?
Sierra Club, MN Young DFL, Stonewall DFL, Take Action MN, Friends of Lake Hiawatha, Rep. Jamie Long, Senator Scott Dibble, and Commissioner Chris Meyer. While not an endorsement, I am a Moms Demand Action ‘Gun Sense Candidate’.
Charles Rucker
Why do you want to be on, or be re-elected to, the Park Board?
I believe my experience as a 25+ year volunteer coach, user of our system and Minneapolis Firefighter would be invaluable at this time to ensure our kids families and users are supported and inspired and safe at this critical time for our entire community.
Do you support the Park Board’s Comprehensive Plan: Parks for All? Is there anything you would change about it?
The plan is heading in the right direction. However, we should take time to review, reflect and to ensure all voices are heard in regards to this plan after the new board is convened to ensure citizens in all corners will have a chance to weigh in.
How would you balance funding physical park improvements vs. investing in programming (services, sports, etc.)?
It's time to become creative and engaging new opportunities at our parks. I believe working with community based organizations to produce specific activities to bring in resources and energy is vital at this time.
How does equity play a role in how we manage/invest in park and recreation assets?
We can only be great if we all are great. It's very clear that some parts of our town have been left behind. Equity must be job one for this entire district. What we see in one part of the city should have the capability of replicating itself in another.
What are some out-of-the-box or interesting things you’d help do to ensure Minneapolis remains the best parks city in the US?
We must begin to see success within ourselves. That we are one system and not individual parks what individual agendas. Within the first 90 days we will conduct "sharing sessions" between communities to start that process.
Do you have any endorsements you'd like us to mention?
The Star Tribune, Minneapolis Firefighters Local 82, HCAPE - Hennepin EMS Medics & Dispatchers, Meg Tuthill, Council Member Lisa Goodman, Lisa McDonald, Judge LaJune Lange, Louis King, Sharon El Amin, Jeff Hayden, Latisha Vetaw, Larry Mckenzie
Alicia D. Smith
Why do you want to be on, or be re-elected to, the Park Board?
I want to serve the Park Board for many reasons: such as ensuring that all parks are truly serving the unique needs of every one in our community, to bring families back to parks for recreation and building lifelong friendship and voice to address the inequalities that we have seen.
Do you support the Park Board’s Comprehensive Plan: Parks for All? Is there anything you would change about it?
I support the comprehensive plan. I do believe we need to go back, make some minor adjustments and find creative ways to excuse the plan while getting to work immediately. I would also explore creative ways we could partner with other organizations to deliver and close out this plan.
How would you balance funding physical park improvements vs. investing in programming (services, sports, etc.)?
I would take a creative approach like finding ways that we may collaborate with other organizations to offer programming, seek outside funds that we may go after to cut costs. Lastly, what skills or passion does our staff have that we have yet to tap into and work from there.
How does equity play a role in how we manage/invest in park and recreation assets?
Equity should be the lens in which we are looking from when we are making decisions. We must prioritize communities that have been divested in and underserved; ensuring high quality programs and building facilities and when not building ensuring that the buildings are not falling apart in need of repairs.
What are some out-of-the-box or interesting things you’d help do to ensure Minneapolis remains the best parks city in the US?
One thing I would love to do is partner with other nonprofit and corporate entities to build relationships that we may leverage dollars or resources to bring to our communities, enhancing not only the physical features in our parks but also improving program offerings, special events and staff development.
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